Scoring three goals in a single football match is one of the clearest signs that a player has completely taken control of a game. A defender can have a great afternoon, a goalkeeper can make ten saves, and a midfielder can dominate possession, but a hat-trick remains one of the most memorable individual achievements in football.
Over the decades, some of the greatest goalscorers in the sport have turned the hat-trick into something almost routine. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have taken that achievement to another level, while players such as Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suárez, Harry Kane, Sergio Agüero, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have also produced remarkable numbers.
The question of who has scored the most hat tricks in football history sounds simple, but there is an important statistical issue behind it. Different databases use different definitions. Some count only top-level senior matches, while others include additional competitions or historical matches. This is particularly important when comparing modern players with stars from earlier eras.
For that reason, this article focuses primarily on recognized senior, top-level football and established statistical records, while separating competition-specific records from overall career totals.
Among modern players, Cristiano Ronaldo sits at the top of the widely cited career hat-trick rankings, with Lionel Messi immediately behind him. One current match database lists Ronaldo on 66 career hat-tricks and Messi on 62, while other sources use slightly different totals depending on their methodology.
That difference does not diminish the achievement. If anything, it shows just how extraordinary both players have been.
Quick Facts: Most Hat Tricks in Football History
The following table highlights the most important names and records rather than pretending that every historical database uses exactly the same counting system.
| Rank/Category | Player | Career Hat-Tricks* | Major Clubs | International Hat-Tricks |
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 66 | Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr | 10 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | 60–62 | Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami | 10–11 |
| 3 | Robert Lewandowski | 30+ | Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona | Multiple |
| 4 | Luis Suárez | 25+ | Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid | Multiple |
| 5 | Other elite scorers | Varies | Various | Varies |
*Totals can differ between statistical databases because of competition and match-classification rules.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s current career total is listed as 66 by one detailed match database, while another source reports Messi on 62. UEFA separately confirms that Ronaldo and Messi share the Champions League record with eight hat-tricks each. The safest way to interpret these numbers is not to treat every database as identical. Instead, readers should look at the competition or statistical methodology being used.
What Is a Hat Trick in Football?
A football hat-trick occurs when one player scores three goals in the same match. The goals do not have to be scored in any particular way. A player can score one with the right foot, one with the left foot and one from a penalty, and it still counts as a hat-trick. A player can also complete a hat-trick with three penalties, although such a performance would look very different from a traditional goalscoring display.
The basic definition is simple:
Three goals by the same player in one match = hat-trick.
The term is commonly written as both hat-trick and hat trick, which is why searches for “most hat tricks in football history” and “most hat-tricks in football history” can both be relevant.
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Does a Penalty Count Toward a Hat-Trick?
Yes.
A penalty is an official goal, so it counts toward a player’s hat-trick total.
For example, if a striker scores:
- one penalty,
- one header,
- one open-play goal,
that is still a hat-trick.
The same principle applies to free kicks and other legal scoring situations.
Does a Goal in Extra Time Count?
Yes.
If a player scores three goals during a match that goes into extra time, the goals can form a hat-trick. The important factor is that all three goals are scored by the same player during the same match.
What Is a Perfect Hat-Trick?
A perfect hat-trick is generally used to describe a three-goal performance in which the player scores:
- One goal with the right foot
- One goal with the left foot
- One goal with the head
The exact definition can vary slightly between statistical sources, but this is the traditional interpretation.
| Type of Goal | Perfect Hat-Trick Requirement |
| Right-foot goal | Required |
| Left-foot goal | Required |
| Header | Required |
A perfect hat-trick is especially impressive because it demonstrates different forms of finishing.
Cristiano Ronaldo has produced numerous goals that demonstrate his ability to score with both feet and his head, which is one reason his hat-trick record is so remarkable.
Who Has Scored the Most Hat Tricks in Football History?
When looking at the modern top-level game, Cristiano Ronaldo is widely recognized as the leading career hat-trick scorer, with Lionel Messi his closest rival.
A current statistical database lists Ronaldo with 66 career hat-tricks and Messi with 62. Another database gives Messi a slightly different total, demonstrating why readers should always check the methodology behind historical football statistics.
The gap between Ronaldo and Messi is remarkable for another reason: both players are far ahead of most other modern superstars. The IFFHS’s 2023 ranking of 21st-century top-level games had Ronaldo on 62 hat-tricks and Messi on 56 at that point, followed by Ali Ashfaq, Robert Lewandowski and Luis Suárez.
That makes the Ronaldo-Messi era particularly unusual. It is not simply a case of one superstar having an exceptional number of hat-tricks. Two players from the same generation have created an enormous gap between themselves and almost everyone else.
Cristiano Ronaldo: One of Football’s Greatest Hat-Trick Scorers
Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick record is one of the strongest pieces of evidence for his goalscoring longevity.
His first senior hat-trick for Manchester United came against Newcastle United in 2008. From there, the frequency increased dramatically during his Real Madrid years.
At Madrid, Ronaldo developed into an almost relentless source of multi-goal performances. He combined elite movement with powerful shooting, penalty-taking ability, aerial strength and an exceptional ability to find space inside the penalty area.
A current statistical database credits Ronaldo with 66 career hat-tricks across club and international football.
Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick Record by Era
Ronaldo’s hat-tricks came in several different stages of his career.
Manchester United
His first hat-trick at senior club level came during his first spell at Manchester United. At the time, Ronaldo was still developing from an explosive winger into a more complete goalscorer.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid was where his hat-trick numbers exploded. He scored 34 La Liga hat-tricks, second only to Messi’s 36. No other player has come close to their combined dominance of the competition’s hat-trick charts.
Juventus
Ronaldo also produced hat-tricks in Serie A and European competition after leaving Spain.
Al Nassr
His move to Saudi Arabia did not end his habit of scoring three or more goals. He continued producing major scoring performances deep into his career.
Portugal
Ronaldo’s international hat-tricks have included some of the biggest moments of his international career.
His three-goal performance against Spain at the 2018 World Cup is particularly famous. He scored a late free kick to complete the treble in a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo Hat-Trick Statistics
| Competition | Hat-Trick Record/Status |
| Club football | Among the highest totals in history |
| La Liga | 34 |
| UEFA Champions League | 8 |
| International football | 10+ depending on database/date |
| Career total | Around mid-60s in leading databases |
UEFA confirms that Ronaldo has scored eight Champions League hat-tricks, sharing the competition record with Messi.
His Champions League record is particularly impressive because these hat-tricks were often scored against high-level opposition.
Lionel Messi: Another All-Time Hat-Trick Leader
If Ronaldo is one side of the hat-trick debate, Lionel Messi is the other.
Messi’s ability to score three goals in a match became a regular feature of his Barcelona career. Unlike Ronaldo, who often combined power, aerial ability and penalty-box movement, Messi could create hat-tricks through dribbling, close control, combinations and precise finishing.
Messi scored 36 La Liga hat-tricks, the highest total in the competition’s history. Ronaldo is second with 34.
That statistic alone shows how dominant the pair were in Spain.
Messi’s Barcelona Hat-Tricks
Many of Messi’s greatest hat-tricks came while playing for Barcelona.
His performances were often more than simple finishing displays. Messi could score from:
- Long-range shots
- Free kicks
- One-on-one situations
- Curled finishes
- Close-range combinations
- Individual dribbles
- Penalties
That variety made his hat-tricks difficult to defend against.
Messi and Argentina
Messi’s international hat-trick record has also become extraordinary. He scored his first Argentina hat-trick against Switzerland in 2012 and went on to produce several more against teams such as Brazil, Panama, Ecuador, Bolivia and others.
In 2026, Messi added another World Cup hat-trick against Algeria. This helped extend his extraordinary international scoring record.
Messi vs Ronaldo Hat-Trick Comparison
The Ronaldo-Messi comparison deserves its own section because their careers provide the clearest modern benchmark for elite hat-trick scoring.
| Statistic | Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi |
| Career hat-tricks | 66* | 60–62* |
| Champions League | 8 | 8 |
| La Liga | 34 | 36 |
| International | 10+ | 10+ |
| World Cup hat-trick | Yes | Yes |
| Five-goal matches | Multiple | Multiple |
*Totals vary by statistical database and cutoff date.
The most important competition-specific statistic is the Champions League, where UEFA confirms an 8-8 tie between Ronaldo and Messi.
In La Liga, however, Messi has the advantage with 36 compared with Ronaldo’s 34.
That makes the debate more interesting than simply asking who has the bigger career number.
Other Footballers With Remarkable Hat-Trick Records
Ronaldo and Messi dominate the modern conversation, but they are not the only players with extraordinary hat-trick records.
Pelé
Pelé’s statistical record is complicated by the enormous number of matches and competitions played during his era.
Historical football statistics can differ considerably when evaluating players from the mid-20th century. Friendly matches, regional competitions and classification standards were not always recorded in the same way as today’s major European competitions.
Nevertheless, Pelé’s reputation as one of football’s greatest goalscorers is unquestioned. His ability to score multiple goals in a match was a major part of his legend with Santos and Brazil.
Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez belongs in any discussion of modern prolific hat-trick scorers. The Uruguayan striker produced some remarkable scoring seasons, particularly with Barcelona.
Suárez was an unusual combination of:
- Aggression
- Technique
- Movement
- Close control
- Long-range finishing
- Two-footed finishing
- Penalty-box intelligence
The IFFHS 2023 21st-century ranking placed Suárez among the leading hat-trick scorers, with 29 at that point under its top-level methodology.
His 2015–16 Barcelona season was particularly memorable because he scored goals at an extraordinary rate.
Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is another modern striker whose hat-trick record deserves attention. His career has included prolific spells with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Lewandowski’s finishing is based heavily on positioning, timing and technical efficiency. He can score with either foot and is also a dangerous header of the ball. The IFFHS’s 2023 ranking had Lewandowski on 31 hat-tricks in top-level 21st-century football at that point.
His Champions League record also includes one of the competition’s most extraordinary four-goal performances, when he scored four goals for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid in 2013. UEFA’s records also list his later four-goal Champions League performance against Red Star Belgrade in 2019.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland represents the next generation of elite hat-trick scorers.
The Norwegian striker developed a reputation for scoring multiple goals before reaching his mid-20s.
His combination of:
- Pace
- Height
- Strength
- Positioning
- First-time finishing
- Acceleration
- Movement behind defenders
makes him particularly dangerous when his team dominates possession. Haaland’s age is also important. A player who produces hat-tricks at such a young age has many potential years remaining to accumulate career records.
However, comparing his total directly with Ronaldo or Messi is premature because longevity is one of the biggest components of an all-time record.
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé has also developed into one of the world’s leading multi-goal scorers. His hat-tricks came rapidly during his time in France and have continued on the biggest stages. His speed gives him an unusual advantage: once a defense becomes stretched, Mbappé can turn a normal scoring opportunity into a one-on-one chance within seconds. As his career progresses, his hat-trick total will be one of the statistics worth watching.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane combines goalscoring intelligence with an ability to participate in buildup play.
His hat-tricks have come for Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and England.
Kane is particularly effective at:
- Finding pockets of space
- Shooting from distance
- Finishing one-touch chances
- Taking penalties
- Heading crosses
- Combining with attacking teammates
His 2017 calendar year was particularly impressive. IFFHS records show that Kane scored eight hat-tricks that year.
Sergio Agüero
Sergio Agüero is one of the most important names when discussing Premier League hat-tricks. The former Manchester City striker holds the Premier League record for the most hat-tricks in competition history, with 12.
Agüero’s Premier League hat-tricks were a combination of quick movement, sharp finishing and excellent positioning. His record is particularly significant because the Premier League has featured some of the greatest strikers in modern football.
Most Hat Tricks in Club Football History
Club football provides far more opportunities for hat-tricks than international football.
A top striker can play 40–60 matches in a season for club and country combined, while international teams have considerably fewer fixtures.
That is why players with extremely long club careers tend to dominate career hat-trick lists.
Notable Club Hat-Trick Leaders
| Player | Major Club Associated With Hat-Tricks | Notable Competition |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | La Liga, Champions League |
| Lionel Messi | Barcelona | La Liga, Champions League |
| Luis Suárez | Barcelona | La Liga |
| Robert Lewandowski | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga, Champions League |
| Sergio Agüero | Manchester City | Premier League |
| Harry Kane | Tottenham/Bayern | Premier League, Bundesliga |
One of the clearest examples is La Liga, where Messi leads with 36 hat-tricks and Ronaldo follows with 34.
Most Hat Tricks in International Football
International hat-tricks are generally harder to accumulate than club hat-tricks.
The reasons are straightforward:
- Fewer matches
- Less time to build chemistry
- Different teammates
- Stronger tactical variation
- International tournaments occurring only periodically
For years, Ronaldo and Messi have dominated modern international hat-trick discussions.
IFFHS has historically tracked the category separately and uses national-team matches as part of its methodology.
International Hat-Trick Leaders
| Player | Country | International Hat-Tricks* |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 10+ |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 10 |
| Sven Rydell | Sweden | 9 |
| Ali Mabkhout | UAE | 9 |
| Gerd Müller | Germany | 8 |
*Historical totals can vary according to the treatment of matches and cutoff dates. Messi’s 2024 hat-trick against Bolivia brought him level with the historical record under the IFFHS methodology at that time. His 2026 World Cup hat-trick subsequently added another major entry to his international record.
Most Hat Tricks in the UEFA Champions League
The Champions League is arguably the hardest major club competition in which to score a hat-trick.
Every round brings elite opposition, and knockout matches can be extremely tactical.
Yet Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have made Champions League hat-tricks look surprisingly familiar.
Champions League Hat-Trick Leaders
| Rank | Player | Hat-Tricks |
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 8 |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | 8 |
| 3 | Robert Lewandowski | Multiple |
| 4 | Other leading scorers | Multiple |
UEFA confirms that Ronaldo and Messi share the Champions League record with eight hat-tricks each.
Ronaldo’s record includes three Champions League hat-tricks during the 2015–16 campaign, while Messi produced several memorable European trebles for Barcelona.
Fastest Champions League Hat-Trick
Bafétimbi Gomis holds the Champions League record for the fastest hat-trick, scoring three times in just eight minutes for Lyon against Dinamo Zagreb in December 2011.
That is an astonishing scoring burst even by elite football standards.
Most Hat Tricks in Premier League History
The Premier League has its own rich history of hat-trick specialists.
The official Premier League records list Sergio Agüero with 12 hat-tricks, the highest total in the competition. Alan Shearer follows with 11.
Premier League Hat-Trick Leaders
| Rank | Player | Hat-Tricks | Main Club |
| 1 | Sergio Agüero | 12 | Manchester City |
| 2 | Alan Shearer | 11 | Blackburn Rovers/Newcastle United |
| 3 | Harry Kane | 8 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 4 | Thierry Henry | 8 | Arsenal |
| 5 | Michael Owen | 8 | Liverpool/Newcastle/Manchester United |
The exact order below the leading positions can vary depending on database treatment, but Agüero’s record is firmly established by Premier League and Guinness World Records sources.
Most Hat Tricks in a Single Premier League Season
Alan Shearer holds the Premier League record for the most hat-tricks in a single season. He scored five hat-tricks during the 1995–96 campaign for Blackburn Rovers. That record illustrates how different a player can look during a particularly dominant season.
Premier League Single-Season Hat-Trick Record
| Player | Season | Club | Hat-Tricks |
| Alan Shearer | 1995–96 | Blackburn Rovers | 5 |
Shearer’s achievement is especially notable because he was not simply a high-volume scorer; he repeatedly produced three-goal performances in a league containing many of the strongest teams in England.
Most Hat Tricks in a Single Season
A player does not necessarily need to dominate the all-time career chart to have one extraordinary calendar year.
IFFHS records show that the maximum number of hat-tricks by a player in a calendar year during the 21st century is nine. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Ashfaq, Ara Hakobyan and Arman Karamyan have all reached that mark under the organization’s top-level methodology.
Players With Nine Hat-Tricks in a Calendar Year
| Player | Year | Hat-Tricks |
| Ali Ashfaq | 2013 | 9 |
| Lionel Messi | 2012 | 9 |
| Ara Hakobyan | 2003 | 9 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 2011 | 9 |
| Arman Karamyan | 2002 | 9 |
Ronaldo’s 2011 season was particularly remarkable because all nine of his hat-tricks came for Real Madrid, according to the cited record.
Fastest Hat Tricks in Football History
A hat-trick is impressive. Scoring one in only a few minutes is extraordinary. The fastest hat-trick records are often measured from the first goal to the third rather than from kickoff. One of the most famous Premier League examples is Sadio Mané’s three-goal burst for Southampton against Aston Villa in 2015.
The Premier League lists Mané’s time at just 2 minutes and 56 seconds, making it the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history.
Fastest Hat-Trick Records
| Player | Competition | Time | Opponent |
| Sadio Mané | Premier League | 2:56 | Aston Villa |
| Bafétimbi Gomis | Champions League | 8:00 | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Other historical records | Various | Varies | Various |
The difference between these two records is a good reminder that “fastest hat-trick in football” and “fastest Premier League hat-trick” are not necessarily the same question.
Youngest Players to Score a Hat-Trick
Scoring three goals in a professional match is difficult enough. Doing it as a teenager makes the achievement even more remarkable. Young hat-trick records vary by competition because each league has its own history and eligibility rules.
La Liga’s historical record lists José Iraragorri as the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the competition, at 17 years and 337 days for Athletic Bilbao against Real Sociedad in 1930.
Youngest Hat-Trick Records
| Player | Age | Competition | Club |
| José Iraragorri | 17y 337d | La Liga | Athletic Bilbao |
| Other teenage scorers | Varies | Various | Various |
Modern players such as Haaland and Mbappé have also produced multi-goal performances at remarkably young ages, demonstrating how the next generation is changing expectations around teenage scoring.
Oldest Players to Score a Hat-Trick
Longevity can be just as impressive as youth.A striker who can continue scoring three goals in one match after reaching their 30s demonstrates exceptional fitness, positioning and finishing ability.
In La Liga, Jorge Molina holds the competition’s oldest hat-trick record at 39 years and 241 days, according to historical league records. Cristiano Ronaldo has also repeatedly challenged expectations about how long an elite goalscorer can remain productive.
That is one reason his overall hat-trick record is so difficult to match: he has combined elite scoring with extraordinary career longevity.
Most Hat Tricks by a Player in a Single Match?
A hat-trick means three goals, but some performances go much further.
Football has seen players score:
- Three goals
- Four goals
- Five goals
- Six goals
- Even more in unusual historical matches
A four-goal performance is sometimes called a haul, while five goals can be described as a five-goal haul.
The distinction matters because a player who scores four or five goals has technically also completed a hat-trick.
Hat-Trick vs Multi-Goal Performances
| Achievement | Goals in One Match |
| Brace | 2 |
| Hat-trick | 3 |
| Four-goal haul | 4 |
| Five-goal haul | 5 |
| Six-goal haul | 6 |
UEFA’s Champions League records include several four-goal performances from players such as Messi, Ronaldo, Lewandowski, Mario Gómez, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Harry Kane.
Most Famous Hat Tricks in Football History
Statistics tell only part of the story. Some hat-tricks become famous because of the circumstances surrounding them.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Spain, 2018 World Cup
- Ronaldo’s hat-trick against Spain is one of the most memorable international trebles of the modern era.
- He scored three times in a 3-3 World Cup draw, including a late free kick that completed his hat-trick.
- It was the perfect example of a player delivering at the biggest possible stage.
Lionel Messi vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Messi’s five-goal Champions League performance against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012 remains one of the competition’s most famous individual displays.
- His performance went beyond a conventional hat-trick and demonstrated why he was considered one of the most complete attacking players of his generation.
Lewandowski vs Real Madrid
- Lewandowski scored four goals for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid in the 2012–13 Champions League semifinal first leg.
- It remains one of the defining performances of his career.
Agüero’s Premier League Hat-Tricks
- Agüero’s hat-tricks became a defining feature of Manchester City’s rise.
- His record 12 Premier League hat-tricks demonstrate how consistently he could turn one match into a personal scoring exhibition.
Hat-Trick Records by Major Competition
Different competitions produce different hat-trick specialists.
| Competition | Notable Hat-Trick Record | Leading Player/Record Holder |
| Premier League | 12 career hat-tricks | Sergio Agüero |
| La Liga | 36 career hat-tricks | Lionel Messi |
| Champions League | 8 career hat-tricks | Messi & Ronaldo |
| International football | 10+ for leading modern players | Messi/Ronaldo |
| World Cup | Multiple historic hat-tricks | Various |
| Bundesliga | Multiple prolific scorers | Various |
| Serie A | Multiple prolific scorers | Various |
| Ligue 1 | Multiple prolific scorers | Various |
The standout competition-specific records are particularly useful because they show that a player’s overall career total does not necessarily tell the entire story.
For example, Messi leads La Liga with 36 hat-tricks, while Ronaldo leads the Premier League’s all-time global-style career comparison but never played enough Premier League seasons to challenge Agüero’s 12-record there.
Ronaldo vs Messi: Who Has More Hat Tricks?
This remains one of the most searched comparisons in modern football.
If career totals are the only criterion, Ronaldo currently has the advantage in widely cited databases.
One current database lists:
- Ronaldo: 66
- Messi: 62
Another database uses a slightly different Messi total, showing why the exact figure should always be accompanied by a methodology note.
But Messi has advantages in certain categories.
| Category | Ronaldo | Messi | Leader |
| Career hat-tricks | 66* | 60–62* | Ronaldo |
| Champions League | 8 | 8 | Tie |
| La Liga | 34 | 36 | Messi |
| International | 10+ | 10+ | Close |
| World Cup hat-trick | Yes | Yes | Tie |
The most fascinating part of the comparison is that their strengths are spread across different categories.
Ronaldo’s career longevity and multi-club scoring record help him in the overall count.
Messi’s La Liga record is stronger, while the Champions League is perfectly balanced at eight each.
Why Do Some Footballers Score More Hat Tricks Than Others?
Hat-tricks are not purely a measure of finishing ability.
Several factors influence how often a player can score three goals in one match.
Finishing Ability
- The obvious factor is finishing.
- Elite strikers convert chances at a much higher rate than average players.
Number of Shots
- A player who takes six or seven shots in a match naturally has more opportunities to score three goals than someone who takes one or two.
Penalty Responsibility
- Penalty takers have an additional scoring opportunity.
- This can be important over a long career.
Position
- Central strikers and attacking forwards are more likely to score hat-tricks than defensive midfielders or full-backs.
Team Strength
- Players surrounded by elite creative teammates often receive more scoring chances.
Longevity
- This may be the most important factor when discussing all-time records.
- Ronaldo and Messi did not accumulate extraordinary hat-trick totals in five seasons. They did it over more than a decade of elite football.
Tactical Freedom
- Some forwards are given complete freedom to attack the penalty area.
- That increases their opportunities to score multiple goals.
Why Are Hat-Tricks So Difficult?
Scoring one goal is difficult. Scoring two in the same match requires consistency.
Scoring three usually requires a combination of:
- Opportunity
- Finishing
- Team performance
- Tactical positioning
- Fitness
- Confidence
- Luck
A striker can score twice by halftime and still finish the game without a hat-trick.
That is why the third goal often feels different.
Once a player reaches two goals, defenders know the hat-trick is possible. The attacking player may also become more aggressive, looking for the opportunity to complete the treble.
Hat-Trick vs Four Goals vs Five Goals
The term “hat-trick” only requires three goals, but many of the most memorable performances involve four or five.
| Achievement | Meaning |
| Brace | Two goals |
| Hat-trick | Three goals |
| Four-goal haul | Four goals |
| Five-goal haul | Five goals |
| Six-goal haul | Six goals |
A player scoring five goals in one match has technically scored a hat-trick as well, but football statistics normally record the complete number of goals separately. This is why databases sometimes include columns for three-goal, four-goal, five-goal and six-plus-goal performances.
IFFHS, for example, separates the “size” of hat-trick performances in its historical statistical work.
Interesting Hat-Trick Facts
Here are some of the most useful facts to know when researching the biggest hat-trick records in football.
1. Ronaldo and Messi dominate the modern career rankings
Their combined total is far beyond that of most modern elite forwards.
2. Messi leads La Liga
Messi scored 36 La Liga hat-tricks, while Ronaldo recorded 34.
3. Ronaldo and Messi are tied in the Champions League
Both have scored eight Champions League hat-tricks.
4. Agüero owns the Premier League record
He scored 12 Premier League hat-tricks.
5. Mané holds the Premier League fastest-hat-trick record
His three goals against Aston Villa came in just 2 minutes and 56 seconds.
6. Gomis holds the Champions League speed record
His Champions League hat-trick took only eight minutes.
7. Shearer holds a remarkable single-season Premier League record
He scored five hat-tricks in the 1995–96 Premier League season.
8. Messi and Ronaldo both scored World Cup hat-tricks
Ronaldo did it against Spain in 2018, while Messi added a World Cup hat-trick in 2026.
9. Lewandowski scored four Champions League goals against Real Madrid
His Borussia Dortmund performance became one of the defining matches of the 2012–13 tournament.
10. A hat-trick does not require three different types of goals
Three penalties, for example, still constitute three goals and therefore a hat-trick.
11. A perfect hat-trick is more specific
It traditionally requires a right-footed goal, left-footed goal and header.
12. Longevity matters
A player who remains elite for 15–20 years has many more opportunities to accumulate hat-tricks.
13. International hat-tricks are harder to accumulate
National teams play significantly fewer matches than clubs.
14. One season can dramatically change a player’s record
IFFHS records show that five players reached nine hat-tricks in a calendar year during the 21st century.
15. Historical totals require caution
Older football records can be difficult to compare directly with modern statistical databases because competition structures and record-keeping standards have changed.
Conclusion
The history of football is full of prolific goalscorers, but only a small group have developed truly extraordinary hat-trick records.
Cristiano Ronaldo currently stands as the leading modern career hat-trick scorer in widely cited statistical databases, while Lionel Messi remains remarkably close behind. Their rivalry has produced one of the greatest statistical battles football has ever seen.
Messi’s 36 La Liga hat-tricks remain a competition record, while Ronaldo has established himself as one of the most prolific hat-trick scorers across multiple leagues and competitions. In the Champions League, neither has been able to separate himself from the other: both have scored eight hat-tricks.
Beyond Ronaldo and Messi, players such as Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suárez, Harry Kane, Sergio Agüero, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland show that the tradition of elite hat-trick scoring is still alive. Agüero’s 12 Premier League hat-tricks, Shearer’s five in a single Premier League season, Mané’s 2:56 Premier League treble and Gomis’ eight-minute Champions League hat-trick each demonstrate a different side of the record book.
Ultimately, the most impressive part of the most hat tricks in football history debate is not simply the number three. It is the consistency required to score three goals repeatedly, season after season, against different opponents and in different competitions.
That is why hat-trick records remain such a fascinating way to measure the dominance of football’s greatest goalscorers.
FAQs
Q1. Who has scored the most hat tricks in football history?
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely recognized as the leading modern top-level career hat-trick scorer. Current statistical databases list him with around 66 career hat-tricks, although totals can differ according to methodology.
Q2. Which footballer has the most career hat-tricks?
Cristiano Ronaldo currently leads Lionel Messi in widely cited career hat-trick totals. Messi remains extremely close, making this one of the most remarkable statistical rivalries in football history.
Q3. Does Cristiano Ronaldo have the most hat-tricks?
Among modern top-level players, Ronaldo is widely listed as the career leader. IFFHS also placed him first in its 21st-century top-level ranking.
Q4. How many hat-tricks has Lionel Messi scored?
The exact figure varies by database. Current statistical sources place Messi around the low 60s for his senior club and international career, with one current database listing 62.
Q5. Who has the most hat-tricks in Champions League history?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi share the Champions League record with eight hat-tricks each.
Q6. Who has the most hat-tricks in Premier League history?
Sergio Agüero holds the Premier League record with 12 hat-tricks. Alan Shearer is second with 11.
Q7. Who scored the fastest hat-trick in football?
The answer depends on the competition and definition being used. In the Premier League, Sadio Mané scored the fastest hat-trick in 2 minutes and 56 seconds. In the Champions League, Bafétimbi Gomis holds the eight-minute record.
Q8. What is a perfect hat-trick?
A perfect hat-trick traditionally consists of three goals scored with the right foot, left foot and head.
Q9. Who is the youngest player to score a hat-trick?
Youngest-player records vary by competition. In La Liga, José Iraragorri holds the historical record at 17 years and 337 days.
Q10. Who is the oldest player to score a hat-trick?
Records differ by competition. In La Liga, Jorge Molina scored a hat-trick at 39 years and 241 days, according to historical league records.
Q11. Who has scored the most hat-tricks in La Liga?
Lionel Messi holds the La Liga record with 36 hat-tricks. Cristiano Ronaldo is second with 34.
Q12. Who scored the most hat-tricks in one Premier League season?
Alan Shearer holds the record with five hat-tricks during the 1995–96 season.
Q13. Can three penalty goals count as a hat-trick?
Yes. There is no rule requiring the three goals to be scored from open play.
Q14. Can a player score a hat-trick in extra time?
Yes. Goals scored during extra time can contribute to a player’s hat-trick.
Q15. Why are Ronaldo and Messi so far ahead in hat-trick statistics?
Their combination of goalscoring ability, longevity, playing time, penalty opportunities, elite teammates and consistency allowed them to produce multi-goal performances over an unusually long period.
