On Sunday 19 December 2022, Lionel Messi finally realised a lifelong dream of lifting the World Cup, one that his fellow Argentinians and fans around the world all shared.
However, for many, what will go down as one of the most historic moments in football seems to have had some of the shine taken off it because of how he lifted the trophy and because of one thing: a robe.
For anyone who somehow didn’t manage to catch the long-dreamt-of scenes, Messi was draped in a special robe by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, just before he lifted the trophy and it has left many football supporters divided.
While the ceremonial cloak made him look like what millions already consider him – royalty – some found it uncomfortable and unnecessary.
Messi’s black cloak is called a 'Beshth'. Arabian warriors wore it after a victory. It’s also worn by the royal family. King of Qatar honoured Messi as a sign of respect. Signifying Messi as a warrior who won for his country Argentina pic.twitter.com/TMStG6mo57
As explained above, the robe itself is a ‘Beshth’ or ‘Bisht’, which is said to not only have been a mark of respect made by the Middle East but a fairly typical ceremonial garment across the region.
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While millions were clearly left feeling uneasy over the Bisht’s meaning, rather than simply being associated with Qatari royalty, it actually had more to do with tradition and the country embracing him in this historic moment which played out on their home turf.
Alternatively, some have also interpreted the gesture as the nation’s way of dubbing Messi “the king of football“. The image has no doubt left a lasting impression.
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For those asking, the robe Messi was wearing on the podium is a bisht. It's ceremonial rather than royal. It's usually worn by dignitaries at weddings and other formal occasions. pic.twitter.com/Ms8rzwHGcX
I did think it was bizarre at first but the more I learned about it, the more it makes sense. This isn't sportswashing — it's simply appreciating a different culture.
Educate yourself and don't let yourself rush to judgment.
Nevertheless, for lots of those watching around the world, this moment preceding Messi’s almost mythologised trophy lift was less about the meaning behind the bisht but more about who handed it to him and what it represented in the grander scheme of football.
A deferential and ostensibly innocent token of admiration it may be, the Emir of Qatar and his regime are not. The legacy of this tournament is built on the countless lives affected, be it the migrant workers who were abused and died erecting the stadiums or marginalised groups like the LGBTQ+ community.
In the eyes of critics, this not only displayed how the controversial and much-maligned hosts foisted themselves into a deeply special and long-awaited moment, but it was emblematic of the undercurrent of sportwashing tightening its grip on the beautiful game.
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It's also not about what it is, it's about who has given it to him, and at that specific moment.
On the other hand, just as many commentators have dubbed the coverage by large sections of Western media as “ignorant”, “quick to judge”, “Islamaphobic” and “racist”, with the likes of Gary Lineker taking flak for describing the choice as “a shame”.
Former Manchester City man and ex-Argentina teammate Pablo Zabaleta asked from the studio, “Just why? There’s no reason to do that”, once again suggesting that the Sheikh and FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the moment more about the Qatar 2022 campaign than the man of the moment.
Either way, there seems to be a fundamental lack of understanding for both arguments and while most Brits watching back home will have likely had little to no knowledge of the reasoning beyond it being a cultural custom, others online have pointed out that football has seen similar scenes before.
What do you think? Was this simply a mark of respect misunderstood by the majority of the Western world, an unnecessary stunt that took away from the GOAT’s most iconic moment, or another instance of FIFA and Qatar putting their own interests before the sport?
One thing we can all agree on is Messi is very, very good at football, having now every accolade there is to win in football.
Featured Image — BBC Sport/Leo Messi (via Instagram)
Sport
The 2026 World Breaking Finals of the UK B-Boy Championships are coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: the UK B-Boy Championships are returning to Manchester this year for the 2026 World Breaking Finals, in what is a special anniversary for the annual tournament.
Celebrating three decades since the inaugural event this summer, the UK B-Boy Champs will once again remind fans why they still remain among the gold standard for competitive breakdancing.
With elite breakers and dance battlers from more than 20 different countries in attendance – and plenty of contestants from each, at that – it’s going to be a real global showcase of talent.
Returning to Manchester once again, we can’t wait to see breakdancing take over the Factory International concourse and wider campus.
Anyone in the world will know that the city also hosted another big European equivalent back in 2022 on behalf of the 2022 World DanceSport Federation, but the UK B-Boy Championships have a passionate following of their own.
This also happens to be the 30th anniversary of the event, so it’s a momentous occasion on many levels.
With live music from not only classic artists and legendary MCs, but artists for the future too, there’ll be plenty of tunes and impressive moves from start to finish.
Coming to Aviva Studios this summer, they’ve billed it quite short and sweet: “The sickest breakers on the planet will battle in a once-in-a-generation celebration of Hip-Hop culture.”
They’re promising “High-stakes rivalries. Gravity-defying moves”, and “Unforgettable performances”, adding, “This isn’t just another battle – this is the Champs legacy in motion.”
Credit: Supplied
The World Breaking Finals get underway in Manchester on 16 August at Aviva Studios, and it’s all set up to be arguably the biggest yet.
General admission went on sale this past Friday, 13 March, with adult tickets starting from only £20 and kids from just a tenner.
As we mentioned before, this isn’t the only big sporting date coming to Manchester this year, with the likes of the British basketball’s annual Cup Finals concluding at AO Arena and another big Super League set to for a grandstand finish at our other big indoor entertainment venue…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Get the Affects Communications)
Sport
The Premier League and EFL should follow La Liga’s lead and bring Retro Matchdays to the UK
Danny Jones
Following the news that La Liga is set to debut a new ‘Retro Matchday’ round, we can’t help but ask the question: why didn’t the Premier League and EFL think of this first?
Well, technically, neither did the Spaniards, but you take our point.
Anyone who follows the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, or even the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) equivalent here in the UK and mainland Europe, will know that the concept is nothing new – but by and large, it seems to be for the beautiful game.
In case you missed it, in an effort to further capitalise on the increasing trend of vintage and classic football kit fashion/the wider nostalgia culture that only seems to be growing every year, Spain’s top two tiers will soon host their inaugural Retro Matchday gameweek next month, and we want a piece of it.
Set to be hosted from Friday, 10 April, over the usual weekend of football in their premier and second division, and running until the final lot of fixtures on Monday, 13 April (no, thankfully not an April Fool’s), supporters will get to see players step out onto the pitch in some of the country’s most iconic kits.
Depending on who you ask, some would argue that Spain has some of the nicest footy shirts all time, whether that be the national side or clubs themselves.
To be honest, we definitely have a soft spot for a proper European throwback – we’re thinking Borussia Dortmund’s 1995/96 home kit, the Napoli kits of the 80s, that amazing Toyota-sponsored Fila Fiorentina kit at the turn of the millennium – and even some of the best 2000s ones now look so old-school.
In fact, we actually had a taster of these kinds of special matches in the past, including here in 0161 for the likes of the Manchester Derby.
Reminds me of the Manchester derby in 2008 where they played in retro kits due to it coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Munich disaster. Looked absolutely brilliant. pic.twitter.com/TLRjKHThbG
When you also take into account that, besides collectors already creating a whole new craze in filling their cupboards with classic kits, the likes of Nike, Adidas and more now regularly turning to old designs like the ‘Futura’, Total 90′ and various ‘adi Originals’ revivals of late, it’s more the rage than ever.
Birmingham’s recent ‘penguin’ remake, Port Vale’s traditional 150th anniversary one, based on their 1953-54 season jersey, not to mention countless other lifestyle fashion collections inspired by historic releases, you can’t move for the stuff – so why not get them wearing it on the grass?
As mentioned, the likes of local ice hockey outfit Manchester Storm have been taking a leaf out of the NHL’s book for ages now, with the annual ‘Retro Nights’ proving to be some of the most popular dates on the calendar, even selling off original shirts in the stadium itself before, during and after the match.
We genuinely can’t think of a single football lover following a team at any level in the English football pyramid that wouldn’t LOVE this. In fact, plenty of them already go to the ground wearing their dad’s second-hand away strip, which has turned out to be a modern cult favourite among the next generation.
These are the kinds of ideas we can see fans actually getting behind; you can find out more HERE. Would you like to see a retro Premier League and/or EFL match day featuring your favourite kits from down the years?
Danny Jones -
19th December 2022 
