The Argentine soccer team wins their third World Cup

On December 18, the Argentine national team won their third World Cup by defeating France in a penalty shootout. In the midst of the celebrations, a mysterious woman entered the field of the Lusail stadium to embrace the soccer star Lionel Messi. The image of this emotional moment traveled the world and social media, causing confusion.

Who is the woman who hugged Messi after winning the final of the World Cup?

Antonia Farías, 42, is one of the main chefs of the Argentine delegation and, thanks to her excellent work, she has gained the love of the entire team, especially that of Lionel Messi.

Antonia works closely with Diego Iacovone, who is in charge of the kitchen area and has been recognized for delighting the players with some dishes after the matches, so he is very beloved by everyone.

What is the meaning of the bisht, the Arabian tunic that Lionel Messi wore after winning the World Cup?

The bisht is a famous traditional cloak that is also commonly known as mishlah in the Arab population's dialect. This attire is very popular in that culture and is mainly used "to celebrate important moments," according to the Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Hassan Al Thawadi.

In addition, this Arab tunic carries a meaning of high religious hierarchy and social status of royalty in Qatar and other Arab nations, as reported by the BBC. The bisht is also commonly used for key ceremonies, such as weddings or local festivals. They are also made with goat wool and camel hair.

Other people who commonly wear the bisht are the authorities and ministers of Qatar. They usually wear it on the National Day of the emirate, which is celebrated in December. In addition to them, a character who always wears the bisht is Emir Al Thani, as he is the highest authority in the nation.

What did it mean for Lionel Messi to wear the Arab tunic?

According to the BBC, Lionel Messi wearing the bisht is a way of recognizing him as the highest hierarch of world football. Although it is not known for certain whether this act was spontaneous or coordinated in advance with the leaders of FIFA, it is known that this organization tends to adhere to established protocol and does not allow deviations from it.