During the World Cup trophy presentation after Argentina’s win over France in the final on Sunday, Lionel Messi was clothed with a bisht by the emir of Qatar.

Messi allowed Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to place the bisht on his shoulders before taking the World Cup trophy from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and lifting it with his teammates.

Usually worn over a white 'thobe', the bisht is a long cloak made of light, frequently sheer material with real gold ornamentation.

It is a garment that has been worn for centuries during special occasions, and is viewed as a sign of appreciation and respect, typically worn by top officials such as politicians, sheikhs and other high-status individuals.

What is special about the bisht?

A lecturer in Islamic studies at the University of Exeter, Mustafa Baig, told the DPA news agency that the bisht is worn by royalty, dignitaries, grooms on their wedding day, and graduates at graduation ceremonies.

“So only a select few people would actually wear the bisht,” he said. “They basically honoured him [Messi] by putting it over his shoulders. It’s like a mark of honour, and just kind of a cultural welcoming and a cultural acceptance.”

Baig said it is also traditionally worn in Qatar on important occasions. “And this is a top occasion. I mean, there’s probably no bigger occasion, so they put it on him as a mark of honour,” he said.

He said he saw it as “an embrace by Messi of the local culture”, adding that it was “a pretty cool thing” for Qatar to do and “smart thinking” on their behalf.