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
Manchester City fan gets treble tattoo before Champions League final
Danny Jones
We’ve seen plenty of tattoos gone wrong down the years and even more football fans getting ahead themselves, but it must have taken a special kind of confidence for this Manchester City fan to get the treble tattooed on his body before the Champions League final has even been played.
Man City may have taken one step closer to matching historic rivals Manchester United‘s achievement of winning the treble in 1999, lifting their fifth Premier League title in six years and adding yet another FA Cup to their trophy cabinet, but there’s still one massive game they need to win before they can boast the same.
The Blues take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final — just the second in their history — this weekend and have only ever won one continental trophy by beating Polish side Górnik Zabrze in the European Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1970.
Nevertheless, after yet another stellar domestic season and with two-time UCL winner Pep Guardiola at the helm, most fans, rivals and neutrals alike all think this is the year they’re going to lift their first Champions League — in fact, this man is certain of it.
The diehard City fan, simply known as Stuart on TikTok, shared multiple clips on his account on Tuesday, the first of which showed the treble tattoo in progress and has already had nearly 200,000 views in less than 24 hours.
Naturally, the comments underneath the videos are as you’d expect, with people remarking, “you’ve just made Inter win”, “he’s gonna regret that”, “RIP bro”, “pov: 2021” — the last CL final they qualified for and lost to Chelsea despite being heavy favourites — and so on.
However, responding to haters in the comments, Cityzen Stuart’s confidence looks to be unshakable, stating that it’s now “impossible” for them to lose and there’s “not a chance” Pep goes another yet without winning another Champions League.
Having already flown over to Turkey for the final in Istanbul this weekend, he shared a more recent video showing the tattoo in more detail, complete with full colour and shading.
Football fans are often superstitious (it’s such an unpredictable sport that it’s hard not to be) but it’s fair to say a lot of people are now worried he might have jinxed it, not to mention every single Red hoping that he has. For his sake, he better hope the footballing gods don’t take this kind of stuff into account.
In fact, this isn’t the first time a City fan has gotten a little bit ahead of themselves and put money and ink where their mouth is, as our minds immediately go back to 2009 and the time a supporter got a Champions League winners tattoo for the following 2010/2011 season.
This year’s final kicks off at 8pm on Saturday, 10 June and City fans everywhere will be hoping to Pep and co. lift the Champions League trophy in the club’s history and win a historic treble in the process.
They are already going to go down as one of the best squads ever assembled but, for many, this could see them held up there as the greatest of all time. The question is, can they take that final step?
Featured Image — @stuart1308 (via TikTok)/Comedy Central/UEFA
Sport
There’s a full day of FREE outdoor yoga classes happening in Manchester city centre this month
Emily Sergeant
There’s a full day of free yoga classes taking over an outdoor amphitheatre in heart of Manchester city centre in a couple of weeks time.
As a way of marking the summer solstice and welcoming in the new season, all while suitably-celebrating International Yoga Day at the same time, Manchester‘s famed ‘Yogathon’ is returning to Great Northern Warehouse later this month with a whole host of free outdoor yoga sessions, and it’s giving Mancs the chance to “get on the mat and work on the mind”.
Taking over the amphitheatre outside the historic city centre warehouse, you can join in with a full day of yoga classes led by award-winning instructors from The Life Centre from morning through to evening.
Early birds can kick-start the day with Sun Salutations from 7:30am, which is perfectly-timed as the sun rises over the city on the longest day of the year, while a lively functional flow class will follow as the ideal way to spend your lunch hour from 12:30-1:15pm.
You can then close out the day and unwind after work with a fun and friendly Vinyasa class from 5:15-6pm.
Yogathon 2023 is happening outside Great Northern Warehouse on Wednesday 21 June / Credit: Phil Tragen (via Great Northern)
Suitable for all ages and abilities to get involved with, each of the classes happening throughout the day are free of charge, and ultimately encourage Mancs to “treat your muscles and mind” and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of yoga in the great outdoors.
Yoga mats will be provided in the amphitheatre, but you should bring your own if you have one.
All proceeds from will go to Eat Well MCR to support people living in poverty across the city by delivering meals and providing much-needed respite during difficult times.
Yogathon 2023 is taking over the amphitheatre at Great Northern Warehouse, just off Deansgate in the heart of the city centre, on Wednesday 21 June from 7:30am right through to 6pm.
Danny Jones -
19th December 2022 
