Everything you need to know about the hattrick

Kinds of hattricks

In general, there are two kinds of hattricks. A ‘natural’ or ‘flawless’ hattrick. In case of the latter, the goals were scored consecutively and no other goals from other players were scored in between them. A natural hattrick is achieved when a football player scored three goals within 90 minutes and the goals were interrupted by goals scored by other players.

History of the hattrick

The history of the hattrick is not entirely clear. Rumour has it that the term finds its origin in the 19th century and from cricket. A more interesting story is that Englishmen devised the term. This theory dates back to the Victorian era where almost everybody still wore a hat. The story goes that a football player from the English team named H.H. Almond received a hat from his supporters as a reward for scoring three goals in a game in 1858. This is how the term came to be.

The concept of a hattrick grew more and more popular in England in the following years, and it became even known throughout the world. Hats were often thrown on the field in the ‘20’s and ‘30’s when a football player scored a hattrick. The idea of a hat was later replaced by other forms of rewards, like medals, trophies and flowers. It is tradition now that the player who scored a hattrick can take the match ball home with them.

Who scored the most hattricks? (2023)

Many remarkable hattricks were scored since the term came to life. However, two football players are at the top of that list: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

• Cristiano Ronaldo – 61 hattricks
• Lionel Messi – 56 hattricks
• Luis Suárez – 30 hattricks
• Robert Lewandowski – 29 hattricks
• Mario Gómez – 18 hattricks
• Segio Agüero – 18 hattricks
• Zlatan Ibrahimović – 17 hattricks
• Erling Haaland – 16 hattricks
• Harry Kane – 15 hattricks
• Kylian Mbappé – 14 hattricks

The most amazing hattricks ever made

A hattrick is always special, no matter the match in which it is scored. There are only a couple of moments even more special. For example, a hattrick scored in the highest league and in an important game. The following players managed to do this.

Messi’s hattricks in El Clásico 2007 and 2014

Lionel Messi scored his first hattrick when he was 19 years old during a match against arch rival Real Madrid. Barcelona fell behind on three occasions during the match, but the Argentine teenager managed to turn the tide. Messi scored his second hattrick in a game against Real Madrid in 2014. Messi is the only football player who managed to score two hattricks in Clásico matches.

Ronaldo de Lima against Man United 2003

In the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Real Madrid played against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Brazilian Ronaldo scored three goals, which is how the Spanish top club won. The beautiful thing about this hattrick was that the supporters of Manchester applauded him when he departed the field.

Gareth Bale against Inter 2010

Gareth Bale’s hattrick against Inter in 2010 made him break through in Europe. Despite of Tottenham losing the match by 4-3, Bale impressed Inter’s impressive team at the time. The team consisted of Milito, Sneijder and Zanetti, amongst others. It was 4-0 by halftime. Tottenham Hotspur almost made a historical comeback after halftime because of Gareth Bale. He transferred to Real Madrid because of this hattrick.

Dirk Kuyt wins championship with hattrick 2017

Dirk Kuyt returned to Feyenoord after a long, successful period – partly at Liverpool – with only one goal: win the national title. In the deciding match against Heracles Almelo, he succeeds in scoring three goals. Feyenoord won the national title because of this: a fairy tale.

Cristiano Ronaldo shoots Portugal past Spain 2018

Ronaldo performed at his best during an extremely exciting World Cup match between power houses Portugal and Spain. It can be established that this is the best accomplishment of the Portuguese in the national jersey of the country. Ronaldo scored three goals against the strong Spain, amongst them an amazing free kick which brought the game to 3-3.