Status: 12/19/2022 2:31 PM
Argentine Lionel Messi wears a black cape, a traditional robe, during the trophy presentation after the World Cup final. The Emir of Qatar had just blamed him. Not only the sports show expert Bastian Schweinsteiger viewed the action critically.
For Lionel Messi, the golden World Cup trophy was within reach when the Emir of Qatar hit him with a traditional bite from behind and clearly without being asked. This black Arab overcoat is mainly worn by important people on the national day in Qatar.
Messi irritated by the black cape
The 35-year-old looked visibly annoyed and smiled boldly at the TV cameras in the unusual cape with gold appliques. For many observers, this action by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani was in fact nothing more than a coldly calculated coup.
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani dresses Lionel Messi in traditional clothes
Image: IMAGO
Because Messi’s photos from the awards ceremony will remain true to this World Cup staging. Just like the photos of Pelé celebrating after the 1970 final in Mexico with a sombrero on his head. But cheering fans spontaneously handed him this traditional headdress at the time.
Lasting images of the cape awards
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who also stood alongside Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the awards ceremony, also reportedly appreciated the action. Messi, who was actually captured by hundreds of photographers, put on a brave face.
The iconic moment, the image of the captain with the trophy, will always be associated with the robe, that black cape, at the 2022 World Cup – and not just the Argentina shirt.
Schweinsteiger: “You take away a great moment from the player”
“It takes away a great moment from the player,” criticized sports programming pundit Bastian Schweinsteiger. “I didn’t like it either. You can do it later in the dressing room. I don’t think Messi was happy there either. In my opinion the action didn’t go well.”
Former English professional Gary Lineker also thought so to the BBC: “In a way, it’s a shame that they covered Messi with his Argentine shirt.” Longtime Argentine international Pablo Zabaleta commented to the BBC: “Why? Just because? There was no reason to do it.”
Even other TV pundits couldn’t understand why Messi couldn’t just be let celebrate in his shirt at the most important moment of his career. “To exploit it there – ouch!” ex-national player Tabea Kemme said on ‘MagentaTV’. Michael Ballack added, “It’s a little unnerving. But the fact that he’s wearing it speaks to the decency of him.”
Those: sportschau.de
