Lionel Messi was asked to wear a traditional bisht during the World Cup trophy presentation (Picture: Getty)
Gary Lineker questioned FIFA’s decision to make Lionel Messi wear ‘a little robe’ during the World Cup trophy presentation.
The Argentine superstar finally ended his personal quest to secure the trophy that had evaded him for so long following the most dramatic final in the competition’s history.
Having squandered a 2-0 lead, Messi looked to have secured victory in extra time with one of the scruffiest goals of his career, but a penalty from Kylian Mbappe, his PSG teammate, sent an epic contest to a shootout which Argentina edged 4-2.
Messi sunk to his knees when Gonzalo Montiel slotted home the decisive spot kick and was overcome with emotion as he celebrated finally being able to emulate Diego Maradona.
As he took stock of his emotions before getting his chance to clutch the World Cup trophy, Messi was encouraged to put on a traditional Qatari bisht much to the annoyance of Lineker.
‘Great pictures from above and great pictures from inside the ground as Argentina win the world cup for the third time and first since 1986 they also of course won it in 1978 in their own country,’ said the BBC presenter.
‘This is a magic moment it’s a shame in a way they’ve covered up Messi in his Argentina shirt.’
Former Argentina international and studio guest Pablo Zabaleta agreed, adding: ‘It’s just why? No reason to.’
Messi took off the bisht as he left the podium which prompted Lineker to add: ‘He’s taken his little robe off now.’
Zabaleta, meanwhile, wasn’t in the mood to let that incident sour the occasion having played alongside Messi in 2014 when Argentina lost the final against Germany in Brazil.
He said: ‘It’s one of those moments. I was just looking at Messi and I know what it means for the players. Well done to France and Mbappe. Thank you to everyone for that great game, we really enjoy it.
‘I’ve been part of that youth team, when Messi came for the first time to play for the national team. He came to represent his country, the passion and the respect.
‘He has always shown that for his country and we need to respect that. Everyone is just crying and giving him a big hug because he is one of those players who really really deserve it so well done.
‘For our country, we will see a picture of Maradona and Messi, two of the greatest players of all time with the World Cup trophy. That is something so incredible. We are so lucky.’
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The Argentine superstar was asked to put on a traditional bisht.
