The not too long ago concluded 2022 World Cup in Qatar was certainly a showpiece that was solely topped off by the magnificence and depth of the ultimate performed out between the earlier World Cup winners France and the South American challengers Argentina searching for their first cup victory since 1986 after the legendary exploits of the incomparable Diego Maradona helped overcome a robust German group with the ultimate rating at 3-2 in Mexico.

This time round each groups featured world-class gamers, Lionel Messi for Argentina and Kylian Mbappe for France amongst others. Mbappe already had notched a World Cup victory in 2018 in Russia, whereas Messi was searching for his first one.

The sense of urgency that Messi and the Argentinian squad will need to have felt going into the sport was great as this was to be the final World Cup for the Argentinian celebrity and the one accolade that had eluded him thus far.

The sport was intense and for essentially the most half, it seemed like Argentina was within the driver’s seat. But the French squad wouldn’t hand over and in a flurry, fired again the equaliser to ship the sport into additional time. 120 minutes handed and the sport was nonetheless tied after every group had added a aim.

The gamers had been visibly exhausted giving it their all. Tension was excessive within the air. In the penalty shoot-out, billions internationally held their breath questioning if certainly this was to be Messi’s night time. And Lady Luck didn’t disappoint as Messi and Argentina moved on to victory by the penalty shoot-out.

At the victory podium with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and FIFA President Gianni Infantino feted the referees and the groups. The loudest cheers had been heard when Messi got here as much as obtain his medal and Qatar Emir draped a gold-threaded Bisht throughout his shoulders, a mark of respect and acknowledgement for a world-class participant.

Messi gracefully accepted the gesture earlier than being led to the pedestal on which the glittering World Cup in all its glory stood. He was handed the trophy and joined by his teammates, the trophy was hoisted within the air to inform the world it was Messi and Argentina’s night time after a 36-long yr drought.

This occasion was certainly a victory not only for the Argentinians however for Qatar and the area as effectively. It confirmed that we within the GCC are way more succesful than being given credit score for. Hosting a difficult occasion such because the World Cup and doing it with none untoward incident was certainly a testomony to the dedication of the host nation.

You would suppose that in spite of everything of this there would have been accolades within the western press that had been continuously maligning Qatar for being awarded the rights for the 2022 World Cup.

But sadly, there was no let up be it within the printed or spoken media. Gary Lineker, a BBC sports activities presenter and former England footballer whined that “It seems a shame, in a way, that they’ve covered up Messi in his Argentina shirt.”

The British Telegraph went a step additional calling the gifting of the Bisht “…bizarre act….” The New York Times mentioned it was “Something a little strange about Messi being dressed in Bisht….” Fox Sports outlined it as ‘Absolutely grim’ whereas Yahoo Sports termed it as ‘disgraceful’.

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Qatar organising committee replied that the Bisht was “a gown for an official event and worn for celebrations. This was a celebration of Messi.

The World Cup had the chance to showcase to the world our Arab and Muslim cultures. This was not about Qatar; it was a regional celebration.” Indeed it was and will I add that it was a world one as effectively.

Is it ignorance or disguised jealousy for something Arab, achievement or in any other case that spurs the venom of those media individuals?

Or is it that the host nation didn’t bend backward into permitting the Western press to dictate phrases. Sections of the Western press went right into a tizzy when alcoholic drinks had been banned from the neighborhood of stadiums to stop large-scale hooliganism (as witnessed in lots of soccer cities over the UK and Europe).

Whatever the rationale, nothing can take the shine of a near-perfect World Cup with an ideal ending. And a Merry Christmas and a Happy New yr to all.

Tariq A. Al Maeena is a Saudi sociopolitical commentator. He lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Twitter: @talmaeena