Ahmed al-Salem was more moved than average at Sunday’s World Cup final. It was when Qatar’s emir draped a black and gold shawl over the shoulders of Argentina’s victorious captain Lionel Messi. While hoisting the trophy, Messi donned a “bisht,” a traditional gown used by men for weddings and graduations. Also, ceremonial celebrations were created by Salem’s family business and cost $2,200.
Qatari maker of Messi’s cloak enjoys World Cup surge
Whether or not the gesture was suitable has become a topic among internet users. In the DOHA, Qatar — Ahmed al-Salem was more moved than the average soccer fan on Sunday. It was when watching the World Cup final when the emir of Qatar draped a black and gold shawl over the shoulders of Argentina’s winning captain Lionel Messi. Messi was wearing a “bisht,” a traditional gown worn by males for weddings, graduations, and official events. It cost $2,200 and was produced by Salem’s family business when he raised the soccer trophy.
This action has triggered a heated discussion about its appropriateness on social media platforms worldwide. After handing over two handmade cloaks to World Cup authorities, one sized for Messi’s petite stature. One for the taller French captain Hugo Lloris’s frame, Salem watched Argentina’s victory over France in a cafe near the family’s store in Doha’s Souq Waqif market.
The Al-Salem shop has been supplying bisht to the royal family of Qatar for many years. The day after the championship game, Monday, sales jumped to 150, with three customers purchasing the premium bisht made famous by Messi, according to Salem. Commentators, mostly from Europe, criticized Messi for not revealing his jersey when accepting the title. Users of Arabic social media, however, greeted the event with joy.
“We did not know who they were for, and I was stunned,” he told AFP of when the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, dressed Messi in the cloak.
