Priced at over Dh78,000: How was the rare bisht worn by Cristiano Ronaldo made

To celebrate Al Nassr FC’s 4-0 win over Al Hazem in the Roshn Saudi League on February 21, the football team’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo donned the traditional Saudi bisht—in a gesture that coincided with the Kingdom’s Founding Day, giving the moment a deeper national meaning.

Bishts are traditional men cloaks widely worn in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. Their quality and type can depend on the material used in their weaving, including camel hair (wabar) and wool. Rooted in Arabia’s cultural heritage, they are frequently gifted to guests and visiting delegations and a source of national pride and male elegance.

The rare bisht worn by the 41-year-old Portuguese football star at the end of Saturday’s match is called the Al-Ahsa “Al-Ma’allama”; an ancient design that is priced at over 80,000 Saudi riyals/Dh78,346 (1 Saudi Riyal = 0.97933333 UAE dirhams), thanks to its luxurious design and finely detailed embroidery.

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Take a look at a clip shared by the Saudi club showing Ronaldo wearing the Ahsa bisht.

How was the bisht made?

In a recent interview with Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, Ali Al Ghawas, a tailor who contributed to making the white garment, revealed more details on the process of producing such unique clothing items. He clarified that this type of bisht is considered official attire worn by dignitaries on national occassions

This particular Ahsa bisht took almost 30 days to weave and nine craftsmen, including Al Ghawas’ mother, took part in its making, in a precise handmade process that required extensive experience.

What makes this bisht rare?

The “Al-Ma’allama” bisht is specially distinguished among other types and designs of Saudi bishts due to its remarkable embellishments on the chest and shoulders, combining a classic style with hand embroidery using gold or silver threads. Al-Ahsa bisht is usually tailored from luxurious fabrics such as natural wool or lightweight wool, giving it fluidity and elegance when worn.

Several other factors contribute to making this one rare including traditional craftsmanship as it is often made using highly skilled hand-embroidery techniques passed down through generations in the Saudi region of Al-Ahsa.

It also comes with limited availability as it is not widely produced commercially. Authentic pieces of this design are usually crafted from high-quality fabrics such as lightweight wool or silk blends.

This bisht carries social and cultural value that goes beyond being a simple garment, as it is considered a symbol of the deep-rooted heritage of Al-Ahsa and an extension of a long history associated with the appearance of kings and senior leaders during the stages of the Saudi state’s founding.

Ronaldo in the bisht

Ronaldo’s appearance in the bisht on Saturday was not the first time he had put on the local attire on national Saudi occasions. As the country celebrated its Founding Day in 2023, the skilled footballer was seen wearing a white thobe and a black bisht over it, holding a sword as he performs an Arabic dance.

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in January 2023 is yet to win the Saudi league with his team. Several big names have followed him to Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup.

Source: Khaleej Times