The black cape worn by Lionel Messi when lifting the World Cup trophy is worth gold.
An Oman lawyer and member of parliament, Ahmed al-Barwani, has made an offer of one million euros to acquire the bisht, this traditional dress worn in the Arab world.
“
My friend Messi.
From the Sultanate of Oman, I congratulate you on winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Prince TamimBinHamad impressed me by wearing the Arab Bisht, a symbol of magnanimity and wisdom. #Messi I offer you a million dollars to give me
,” wrote the lawyer.
Since the Emir of Qatar placed a traditional Arab black and gold coat on the shoulders of the brand new Argentine world champion, this traditional garment, a mark of honor and appreciation, has seen its sales explode in Qatar.
Bisht sales explode in Doha
In Doha, the shop that has long supplied the royal family and made the outfit offered at No. 10, normally sells eight to ten such garments a day.
The day after the final, sales had climbed to 150 copies, including three similar to the high-end coat worn by Messi, in cotton from Japan and German gold thread, worth nearly 2,000 euros.
“
At one point, there were dozens of people waiting outside the store.
Almost all Argentines
,” Ahmed Al Salim, owner of the shop in Doha's popular Souk Waqif, told AFP.
Messi with the bisht in Buenos Aires
The bisht has also appeared on a wall in Buenos Aires.
Four days after the World Cup victory, a very first mural depicting Lionel Messi lifting the trophy had appeared in the city.
The fresco, about 6 meters high by 5 wide, required 60 spray paints.
Set in the Palermo district, it shows Messi, wearing the bisht, and in the background goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, flanked by Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo de Paul.
The fresco representing Lionel Messi wearing the AFP bisht