There’s nothing quite like the joy of seeing the ball sail into the back of the net. But scoring a hat trick? Now that’s the ultimate high for any footballer.
It’s a moment of glory that earns you the match ball, it’s no easy feat and doesn’t get any easier with time. Yet, some players make it look effortless.
According to Wikipedia and RSSSF, some footballers have scored around 90 or more hat tricks.
Yet, their names often go unnoticed – except for the legendary Pelé – when discussing the greatest hat-trick scorers. The genuineness of these figures is somewhat questionable, considering the RSSSF has only been around since 1994.
This begs the question: are these hattricks from unofficial games, friendlies, street football or unrecognized tournaments?
Considering the uncertain nature of these records and their lack of official recognition by football governing bodies, I will set this aside for now and revisit the topic once it’s validated.
But first, let’s acknowledge these big five:
- Erwin Helmchen (1924–1951) – 141 hat-tricks
- Josef Bican (1931–1955) – 101 hat-tricks
- Ferenc Deák (1939–1959) – 100 hat-tricks
- Ronnie Rooke (1931–1961) – 97 hat-tricks
- Pelé (1956–1977) – 92 hat-tricks
To bring clarity and give due recognition to the players who’ve excelled since the turn of the 21st century, we’ll focus on the most prolific modern-day hat-trick heroes.
1. Lionel Messi (65 hat tricks)
Scoring 57 hat tricks is mind-blowing. Lionel Messi has been an absolute joy to watch over the years. At this point, it almost feels like these jaw-dropping stats are just another match day for him.
But still, scoring three goals in 57 different times while mostly playing on the right wing? That’s just ridiculous.
Now that Messi has made the leap to MLS with Inter Miami in the summer 2023 transfer window, American soccer is experiencing something truly extraordinary.
The Argentine superstar is in a league of his own, and you can bet this number will only go up before the 36-year-old legend finally decides to hang up his boots.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (64 hat tricks)
Cristiano Ronaldo has managed to rack up 66 hat-tricks in his career, more than any other player currently playing.
He made history by becoming the first to hit 10 international hat-tricks, achieving this milestone when he scored three goals for Portugal in a 5-0 win against Luxembourg on October 12, 2021.
Regarded by many as one of the best finishers in football history, Ronaldo’s technical skills are second to none. His ability to dribble, his shooting accuracy, and his pinpoint passing make him a threat from any spot on the pitch.
Ronaldo’s mental toughness and insatiable hunger for victory keep him laser-focused and motivated, even in the most challenging situations.
3. Ali Ashfaq (35 hat tricks)
Ali Ashfaq may not be a household name for many football fans, as he has primarily played in the Maldives, his homeland.
Regarded as the greatest Maldivian footballer of all time. In 2013, he was honored as the “World’s 2nd Best Top Goal Scorer” by the IFFHS, solidifying his status as a legend.
Nicknamed the “Man of Steel,” Ashfaq is considered one of the top players in the South Asian region.
He’s a prolific and individualistic goal scorer known for his free-kick mastery and clinical finishing. His trademark move? Outrunning defenders and effortlessly rounding the keeper before slotting the ball home.
Ashfaq is also a trailblazer, becoming the first Maldivian footballer to play abroad and the only one to win a title with a foreign club.
On the international stage, he has been capped 90 times and is the Maldives’ all-time top scorer, with 57 goals to his name.
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4. Robert Lewandowski (31 hat tricks)
Lewandowski has carved his name in the record books by scoring the most hat tricks in a Bundesliga season, with five, tying Mario Gomez for the top spot.
The Polish forward has also pulled off hat tricks for three different clubs in the Champions League: Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona.
With over 600 senior career goals for club and country, Lewandowski’s goal-scoring prowess is nothing short of legendary.
He is a versatile forward who embodies the attributes of a traditional number nine: height, strength, balance, pace, intelligent movement, and ambidexterity.
While he excels as a goal-poacher in the penalty area, he also possesses excellent technical skills, quick feet, adept dribbling, and a powerful shot with either foot.
5. Luis Suarez (30 hat tricks)
Luis Suárez has sometimes been underrated as a goal scorer, especially during his time at Barcelona, where Lionel Messi’s brilliance often stole the spotlight.
Nicknamed “El Pistolero” (“The Gunman”) he is considered one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest strikers of all time.
With honors like two European Golden Shoes, an Eredivisie Golden Boot, a Premier League Golden Boot, and a Pichichi Trophy, Suárez has more than proven his worth.
He’s scored over 600 career goals for club and country, cementing his place among football’s elite.
Suárez is renowned for his excellent movement off the ball, which allows him to create space and find scoring opportunities.
He has an instinct for goal-scoring and an uncanny ability to anticipate where the ball will be, making him a constant threat to defenses.
Most recently, Suárez showed his skills with a stunning hat trick for Atlético Mineiro against Grêmio in January 2023, where he scored three goals in just 19 minutes.
This performance is just another reminder of why he’s regarded as one of the game’s greatest strikers.
