Scoring a hat-trick is a very challenging task, at least for some. Some of the finest football forwards go through their careers without scoring three goals in a single match. However, in contrast, there are some for whom scoring a hat-trick becomes second nature. Take Cristiano Ronaldo as a prime example; the Portuguese legend has made scoring hat-tricks look effortless. Of course, this article will not only mention CR7 but also many other legends. Let's delve into the details of the Top 10 football players with most hat tricks right away with admin Wintips.
The list of football players with most hat tricks ever - Top 10
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (65 hat tricks)
Speaking of Messi's outstanding record of reaching 57 hat-tricks, Ronaldo has managed to maintain a significant gap between himself and his arch-rival. Eight more hat-tricks - with the majority coming from Los Blancos - can be attributed to his years of playing as a central striker, but no matter how you look at it, the Portuguese international has claimed this crown.
It's not surprising, given that Ronaldo is the all-time leading goal scorer and will seek to extend that record beyond any challenge in the latter years of his career with Al Nassr, assuming he eventually transfers in the coming years. Scoring two hat-tricks within four days surely helps solidify his legacy. Given the extraordinary abilities of a striker like him, no one would be surprised to see him continue to excel at the age of 40.
2. Lionel Messi (57 hat tricks) - One of the football players with most hat tricks
Scoring 91 goals in a calendar year may rank second on this list, but it’s important to note that 57 hat-tricks are absolutely mind-blowing. Lionel Messi has been a joy to watch for many years, and statistics like these have become almost expected. However, for someone who spent much of his career on the right wing, scoring three goals in 57 different matches remains unbelievable.
MLS is Messi's new home after he signed with Inter Miami during the summer 2023 transfer window, and American soccer has never seen anything like the Argentine superstar. We will be very surprised if this number doesn't rise even higher when the 36-year-old player eventually decides to hang up his boots.
3. Ali Ashfaq (35 hat tricks) - Football players with most hat tricks
Ali Ashfaq may not be a household name for many football fans, since he has primarily played in the Maldives, his homeland. Having played for a total of 13 clubs throughout his career, this forward has scored more goals than appearances for seven of them.
His scoring prowess has also translated into international football, with Ashfaq having scored 58 goals in 98 matches for the Maldives. Currently playing for Club Eagles in his homeland, Ashfaq’s career has spanned over two decades. The 38-year-old player could still add more hat-tricks to his record and solidify his position as a top contender for the number one spot on this list, having already earned a silver medal.
4. Robert Lewandowski (31 hat tricks)
Robert Lewandowski holds the record for the most hat-tricks in a Bundesliga season with 5, equaling the record held by Gomez, who is also featured on this list. Moreover, the Polish forward has scored hat-tricks for three different clubs in the Champions League, accomplishing this feat for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona.
With six hat-tricks for his country, he certainly has the potential to replicate this success at the international level. As Kane is experiencing, playing for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga provides ample goal-scoring opportunities, and Lewandowski is the best at converting them. He is the second-highest goal scorer in Bundesliga history, with 312 goals, trailing only Gerd Muller.
5. Luis Suarez (30 hat tricks) - One of the football players with most hat tricks
Luis Suarez has sometimes been underrated in his role as a goal scorer, especially during his time at Barcelona, where Lionel Messi's brilliance garnered much attention. His tally of 30 hat-tricks throughout his career demonstrates his exceptional prowess in front of goal.
His stints at Ajax, Liverpool, and Barcelona yielded numerous goals, showcasing his excellent technical ability and winning mentality. Recently, another hat-trick was added to Suarez's goal tally in a match against Gremio. Like others on the list, he is still playing and has the chance to score more hat-tricks in MLS with Inter Miami.
6. Ali Mabkhout (27 hat tricks) - One of the football players with most hat tricks
As a prolific goal scorer, Ali Mabkhout has only played for Al Jazira throughout his career. His tally of 217 goals in 292 league matches is staggering, and fans of the club will be saddened when he eventually hangs up his boots.
Mabkhout is the all-time leading goal scorer for the UAE Pro League club and has also netted 9 hat-tricks for his country. While he may be overlooked as a lesser-known figure in the football world, the feat of scoring nearly 30 hat-tricks at all levels is highly impressive. Most fans would struggle to achieve such a feat in their local Sunday league!
7. Vyacheslav Zahovaiko (26 hat tricks)
With 26 hat-tricks, Vyacheslav Zahovaiko has achieved an impressive feat by any measure. The Estonian striker scored 121 goals during his time at FC Flora in his homeland from 1999 to 2019. In 2006, he was the most efficient forward in front of goal, averaging 1.2 goals per game that year.
Having a career spanning three decades, Zahovaiko truly deserves recognition, with his legendary status cemented in the annals of FC Flora's history. However, his international career wasn't as successful because he only managed to score 8 goals in 39 appearances for Estonia.
8. Marc Lloyd Williams (24 hat tricks) - One of the football players with most hat tricks
The Welsh forward spent his career playing in the lower leagues in England as well as the top league in his homeland. His career saw him score 345 goals in 576 matches, including 24 hat-tricks during that time. Marc Lloyd Williams has been retired for almost a decade, with his most impressive stint being at Bangor City, where he scored 68 goals in 55 matches.
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In the 2001/02 season, Williams was the top scorer in Europe, with 47 goals while playing for Bangor City. However, due to the Welsh Premier League's lower goal-scoring coefficient, he wasn't recognized for his outstanding performance by receiving the European Golden Shoe.
9. Harry Kane (22 hat tricks) - One of the football players with most hat tricks
The player with the most goals in England's national team history and the all-time leading goal scorer for Tottenham is consistently among these players. Having more hat-tricks than players such as Aguero, Gomez, and Huntelaar is truly impressive, especially considering that Harry Kane is still playing at just 30 years old, while the others have already retired.
Kane left England after scoring 18 hat-tricks and added 4 more to his tally at Bayern Munich. The pace at which the English player, one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history, finds the back of the net suggests that he hasn't finished his job yet.
10. Aleksandar Duric (22 hat tricks)
Aleksandar Duric played for nearly three decades, retiring in 2019 at the age of 49 after a career that saw him play for 18 clubs. His 22 hat-tricks showcase the ability and goal-scoring prowess he possessed throughout his playing years.
Playing for such a long time might have worked in his favor as he had more time to rack up hat-tricks compared to his peers. Longevity doesn't always equate to success in football, but Aleksandar Duric had significant playing years marked by hat-trick performances and for that, we congratulate him.
Conclusion
You can achieve a hat-trick without scoring all three goals consecutively in a match. Goals can occur during regular time, through a penalty kick, or even in extra time. However, you do not earn a hat-trick in a penalty shootout if the match is decided after 120 minutes of play. Above is the list of the football players with most hat tricks in history. This information is compiled by the bookmaker in betting website from reputable and accurate statistical sources. So, rest assured when receiving sports knowledge from us.
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