Lionel Messi finally achieved his dream of winning the World Cup trophy as he led the Argentine team to a 4-2 penalty victory over defending champion France in an epic showdown at Lusail Stadium.
The game, dubbed the greatest final of all times, saw a dramatic show of strength, power, skills, experience and quality at its peak from both sides, but Lionel Scolani’s side eventually coasted to victory, thanks to a heroic effort from the La Albiceleste goalie, Emi Martinez.
Messi and Angel Di Maria had given the Argentines a brave lead but a one-minute double from Frenchman Kylian Mbappe brought France to level, forcing the game into extra time.
The former Barcelona talisman secured his double of the tie in the extra time but another penalty from Mbappe levelled the scoresheet to 3-3 before the winner was decided via penalty.
Messi would later win the Man of The Match and Best Player of the Tournament trophy.
Meanwhile, a major highlight of the colourful event was when the PSG forward draped in a black robe to lift the iconic piece of gold at the trophy presentation ceremony marking the end of the tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani draped the robe on the Argentina captain.
The robe is known as as Bisht. It is a traditional piece of clothing in the Arab world that has been worn for thousands of years.
According to Arab News, the robe is saved for special occasions like weddings and it is usually worn as a status symbol by the likes of the royal family and the wealthy.
“The bisht has been the choice of formal wear for politicians, religious scholars and high-ranking individuals in Arabian Gulf countries, Iraq and countries north of Saudi Arabia.
This traditional flowing cloak is meant to distinguish those who wear it. People say no cloth can provide the distinction of a hand-tailored bisht. This is why the art of bisht tailoring is a skill handed down from generation to generation,” the paper wrote.
In 2017, Qatari YouTuber Hamad Al Amari, known as The Qatari Guy, explained how to wear a bisht in a video offering “bite-sized cultural Qatari tips.”
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