10 Soccer Players With The Most Hat-tricks In History | 2024

Scoring a hat-trick in soccer is tough, and many top strikers might not pull it off in their whole careers.

But some players just make it look easy. Scoring three goals in a single game is a unique skill, a mix of talent, pinpoint finishing and seizing every chance that comes your way.

The players on this list, leading with the most hat-tricks in history, are some of the best strikers.

They make scoring goals in bunches seem like second nature, showing their dominance on the field. These players consistently find the back of the net, making it look effortless and earning them a spot among the greatest players in soccer.

8 Fun Facts About Hat-trick

1. The term “hat-trick” originated in 1858 during a cricket match when H.H. Stephenson achieved the remarkable feat of taking three wickets in three consecutive deliveries.
2. In 2013, Alex Torr set a record for the fastest hat trick, fulfilling the feat in just 70 seconds during a Sunday league soccer game.
3. John McDougall, a Scottish player, secured the first international hat-trick in soccer during a match against England on March 2, 1878.
4. Bert Patenuade, an American player, etched his name in history by scoring the first hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup, achieving this feat against Paraguay in Uruguay in 1930.
5. In soccer, the scorer of a hat-trick is traditionally awarded the game ball as a prize.
6. Carli Lloyd of the USA holds the record for the fastest hat trick in FIFA Women’s World Cup history, scoring from kickoff against Japan.
7. Jose Luis Chilavert made history as the first goalkeeper to score a hat-trick, showing his goal-scoring prowess in an extraordinary feat.
8. Geoff Hurst, representing England, achieved the rare record of scoring two hat-tricks against Germany (then West Germany) during the 1966 FIFA World Cup.

Which Footballer Has The Most Hat-tricks In History?

1. Erwin Helmchen – Germany | 141 Hat-tricks

Erwin Helmchen, the German striker, was a goal-scoring legend.

He holds the record for the most goals in recorded history for official matches with an impressive 987 goals in 577 games, according to RSSSF. In league matches, he’s the second-highest goal-scorer with over 720 goals and ranks second for a single team with at least 667 goals.

What makes Helmchen stand out is his knack for hat tricks.

He’s the record-holder for the most career hat-tricks, scoring at least 141. This shows he had a consistent talent for putting three goals in the net in a single game.

Helmchen’s legacy goes beyond numbers; he symbolizes an era where scoring goals and pulling off hat-tricks was his signature move.

His impact on the game is a fact to his skill and makes him a revered figure in soccer history, inspiring fans with his goal-scoring magic.

2. Pele – Brazil | 92 Hat-tricks

Pelé holds the Guinness World Record for the most hat-tricks in history, making him a true football legend.

He set a record as the youngest player to score three goals in a single FIFA World Cup match back in 1958 when he was just 17 years old.

Pelé’s football journey started at Santos at 15, and he joined the Brazil national team at 16, marking the beginning of an incredible career.

Internationally, Pelé’s achievements are unmatched, winning three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970.

His 1958 win made him the youngest player ever to secure a World Cup at 17, earning him the nickname “O Rei” (The King). With 77 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil, Pelé held the record as the national team’s top goal-scorer for over 50 years.

On the club front, Pelé’s impact is undeniable.

He remains Santos’s all-time leading goal-scorer with an impressive 643 goals in 659 games.

In Santos’s golden era, he led the club to victory in the 1962 and 1963 Copa Libertadores and the 1962 and 1963 Intercontinental Cup, leaving an everlasting legacy in Brazilian and global football history.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal | 63 Hat-tricks

Talking about Messi’s impressive 57 hat-tricks, Ronaldo has kept a nice gap between him and his biggest rival.

He’s got six more hat-tricks, mostly from his Real Madrid days, maybe because he spent a lot of time as the main striker. But no matter how you see it, the Portuguese player has clearly taken the lead.

And it’s not surprising at all. Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer, and he’s planning to stretch that record even more in his final years with Al Nassr, assuming he decides to retire soon.

Knowing Ronaldo’s almost superhuman abilities, it wouldn’t be a shock if he kept playing well into his 40s. The man just keeps breaking records.

While Messi has had an impressive run, Ronaldo is still ahead, showing no signs of slowing down.

Whether he’s playing for Real Madrid or Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s goal-scoring talent is unmatched, making him a football legend that’s likely to be remembered for a very long time.

4. Lionel Messi – Argentina | 57 Hat-tricks

Racking up an incredible 57 hat-tricks is mind-blowing.

Messi’s brilliance on the field has become so regular, but wrapping your head around a right-wing player pulling off a hat-trick in 57 different games is something else.

Now in Major League Soccer, Messi has made Inter Miami his new home after a summer transfer last season.

The American soccer scene has never witnessed anything quite like the magic Messi brings. It won’t be surprising if this hat-trick count climbs even higher as the 36-year-old maestro continues to play.

Messi has a way of surprising us, and we can’t help but look forward to more incredible moments before he decides to call it a day. In the vibrant world of American soccer, Messi is making his mark, and it’s a thrilling chapter in his already legendary career.

Who Has The Most Free Kicks Between Ronaldo & Messi ? 2023

5 Ali Ashfaq – Maldives | 35 Hat-tricks

Ashfaq stands tall as the greatest Maldivian soccer player, earning the record of “World’s 2nd best top goal scorer” in 2013 from IFFHS.

Despite the unfamiliarity for many fans due to his predominantly domestic career in the Maldives, Ashfaq’s impact is significant.

As the first Maldivian to play abroad and the only player to win a title with a foreign club, he carved a unique path.

On the international stage, Ashfaq has 90 caps and holds the record as the all-time leading scorer for the Maldives with an impressive 57 goals.

What sets him apart is his ability to outscore his number of appearances at various clubs throughout his career, a fact to his prolific goal-scoring prowess.

6. Robert Lewandowski – Poland | 31 Hat-tricks

Lewandowski made Bundesliga history, sharing the most hat-tricks in a single season (five) with Gomez.

His goal-scoring talent isn’t confined to Germany, evident in the Champions League treble for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona.

Internationally, he’s bagged six hat-tricks for his country.

In 2020 and 2021, Lewandowski won the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award and the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award.

Twice featured in the UEFA Team of the Year, he’s the third-highest scorer in Champions League history.

With 300+ Bundesliga goals, he’s second only to Gerd Müller’s 365 Bundesliga goals. Lewandowski’s dominance is further highlighted by five VDV Bundesliga Player of the Season titles, solidifying his place among football’s greats.

7. Luis Suarez – Uruguay | 30 Hat-tricks

Suarez is a deadly finisher, ticking all the boxes for a top-notch striker with killer movement, emphatic finishing, and aerial strength.

After rocking the Premier League with Liverpool, Suarez made a splash at FC Barcelona.

There, he teamed up with Messi and Neymar, forming an unstoppable trio that gave nightmares to every opponent.

Sometimes, he’s overlooked for his goal-scoring prowess, especially during his Barcelona days when Lionel Messi hogged the limelight. But make no mistake, his 30 career hat-tricks speak volumes about his ability in front of goal.

His recent hat-trick in the Gremio game is just another evidence of his scoring prowess.

Suarez’s knack for finding the net is undeniable. His recent hat-trick is a fresh chapter in a story of relentless goal-scoring, proving that Suarez remains a force to be reckoned with on the football field.

8. Ali Mabkhout – UAE | 27 Hat-tricks

Mabkhout’s entire career has been with Al Jazira, and his scoring record is nothing short of sensational.

With 210 goals in 280 league games, the numbers tell a remarkable story. Al Jazira’s fans are sure to feel the void when he eventually hangs up his boots.

Mabkhout has scored 17 hat tricks for Al Jazira and added nine hat tricks while representing his country.

In the AFC Champions League, he made his debut against Al Ittihad in 2009, scoring his first goal against Esteghlal just a month later.

His partnership with Ricardo Oliveira, a teammate from 2009 to 2014, is often credited with molding Mabkhout’s talents during his early years. The collaboration played a key role in his development and left a lasting impact.

Top Soccer Players With The Most Free Kick Goals In History | 2024

9. Vyacheslav Zahovaiko – Estonia | 26 hat-tricks

Vyacheslav Zahovaiko, a former Estonian player, made headlines in 2006 as the world’s top goal scorer, averaging an impressive 1.2 goals per game.

However, things took a turn in early 2007 when he was loaned to Al Kuwait Kaifan. Despite playing a few friendly games, Zahovaiko faced a setback when his contract was declared invalid, leading to his return to Estonia.

His record of 26 hat-tricks is truly remarkable, reflecting his goal-scoring prowess during his time with FC Flora from 1999 to 2019, where he scored a total of 121 goals.

Now, Zahovaiko has transitioned to coaching, currently managing the Gambian side of Real de Banjul, bringing his experience to the coaching world.

10. Marc Lloyd Williams -Wales | 24 Hat-tricks

The Welsh forward had a career spanning lower leagues in England and the top tier in his home country.

Across 576 games, he netted an impressive 345 goals, including a remarkable 24 hat-tricks.

Retired for almost a decade now, his prime was particularly at Bangor City, where he scored a staggering 68 goals in 55 games.

In the 2001/02 season, playing for Bangor City, he topped the charts as Europe’s leading goalscorer with a phenomenal 47 goals.

Despite this extraordinary achievement, the Welsh Premier League’s lower co-efficient meant he missed out on the European Golden Boot. This underlines the challenges faced by players in leagues with different rankings and the unique circumstances that can affect recognition in the football world.

Footballers With the Most Hat-tricks In History

20 Al-Nassr Best Players Of All Time | 2023

FAQs

Which player has the most hat tricks in history?

Erwin Helmchen – 141 Hat-tricks

He’s the record-holder for the most career hat-tricks, scoring at least 141. This shows he had a consistent talent for putting three goals in the net in a single game.

Who has more hat tricks than Ronaldo?

Erwin Helmchen

Who has the most hat-tricks in the Premier League?

Sergio Agüero

Sergio Agüero has scored the most hat-tricks in the Premier League, netting 12 for Manchester City. Alan Shearer scored 11 Premier League hat-tricks for Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

Who has the most hat tricks in FIFA history?

Pele -92 hat-tricks

The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes Pele as the player with the most hat-tricks in the history of football with 92.

How many hat-tricks did Messi do?

57 hattricks.

Lionel Messi has scored 57 hat-tricks in his career for Barcelona and Argentina.

Who has more hat-tricks, Messi or Ronaldo?

Ronaldo – 63 hattricks

CR7  holds the record for the active player with the most hat tricks. Lionel Messi has scored 57 hat-tricks in his career for Barcelona and Argentina.

Who scored the fastest hat trick in football history?

Alex Torr

In a record-setting time, Alex Torr of Rawson Spring scored three goals against Wayne Gardner’s squad in the British Amateur League. It is a global record that Guinness has officially recognized, and it will be tough for any other player to beat.

How many hat-tricks did Haaland score?

18 

Haaland has scored 18 hattricks as of November 12, 2023

Has anyone scored a hat-trick of own goals?

Yes!

Meikayla Moore

She scored 3 own goals in the first half of their game with the United States in the SheBelieves Cup.

Who is the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League?

Michael Owen

The youngest player to score a Premier League hat-trick was Michael Owen for Liverpool when he scored his first league hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday on 14 February 1998 at the age of 18 years and 62 days.

You Might Also Want To Read This

• 10 Fastest Premier League Hat Tricks in History
• Aston Villa’s 10 Greatest Players Of All Time
• 8 Football Clubs That Have Suffered Deep Decline
• The Number 10 In Soccer – Why It’s So Special
• 10 Of The Greatest Danish Players Of All Time
• 10 Of The Greatest Irish Soccer Players Of All Time