Official: Why Messi wore black robe during World Cup presentation

Qatar official, Hassan Al Thawadi, has explained why Argentina captain Lionel Messi was made to wear a traditional Arab robe (bisht) before he lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy on Sunday evening.

This year’s World Cup final match ended 2-2 at 90 minutes and 3-3 at extra-time and was decided on a penalty shootout in which Argentina defeated France 4-2.

Messi, 35, was allowed to wear a traditional Qatari bisht as Argentina beat France in one of the most dramatic finals in the tournament’s history over the weekend.

Paris-Saint Germain forward scored a brace at the Lusail Stadium, but his club teammate Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick.

The former Barcelona captain shook hands with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim on the stage and was adorned in a black bisht– a traditional men’s cloak popular in the Arab world–before lifting the World Cup trophy.

But Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar’s tournament organising committee, has now insisted Messi was dressed in bisht because it was a dress worn for celebrations.

Al Thawadi told BBC Sport: “It’s a dress for an official occasion and worn for celebrations. This was a celebration of Messi. The World Cup had the opportunity to showcase to the world our Arab and Muslim culture. This wasn’t about Qatar, it was a regional celebration.”