Receiving a bisht, a traditional black Arabic cloak, from the Emir of Qatar, added a unique touch to Lionel Messi’s career-defining moment during the first World Cup in the Middle East. In the thrilling World Cup final, Messi stood out not just in his blue-and-white striped Argentina shirt, but also in the distinct attire bestowed upon him by the Emir. This gesture solidified the everlasting connection between Messi and the historic Middle Eastern World Cup.
Messi, the star player of PSG, a French football team owned by Qatar, has finally achieved the ultimate prize in football at the age of 35. This victory holds special significance for Qatar, as it marks the culmination of a 12-year journey from bidding for the World Cup to hosting the final match at the magnificent Lusail stadium. The country has invested a staggering £200bn in transforming itself for this month-long event. Messi expressed his strong desire and belief in achieving this milestone, stating that he felt it was destined to happen. Despite Qatar’s controversial awarding of the World Cup in 2010 by FIFA, Messi had already accomplished success in major club competitions with Barcelona, making this victory even more significant for him.
