When a player scores 3 goals in a football match it is called a hat-trick, and in many matches, the player who scores a hat-trick takes home the match ball.
Scoring a hat-trick in a football match is a dream for footballers, particularly strikers as it tends to define their prowess in front of goal.
There is a general hat-trick recognized across the globe, although in certain leagues and countries, they have the yardstick at which they judge what a hat-trick is.
In Germany, a hat trick is when a player scores three goals consecutively in a match. In this case, no player must score in between the three goals he scored in a match.
This was evident in Bayern Munich’s win over VFL Bochum, as Harry Kane scored a hat-trick recognized to many across the globe, but in Germany, it wasn’t seen as one, based on a rule in the Bundesliga.
The Bavarians defeated VFL Bochum by 7-0, with Harry Kane scoring 3 goals but Matthijs de Ligt, Leroy Sane, and Mathys Tel scored in between his goals.
Let futballnews walk you through the names of players who have scored the most hat-tricks in football history.
Who has scored the most hat-trick in football history?
According to information from Wikipedia, German great Erwin Helmchen is the player with the most hat-tricks in history.
Helmchen scored over 141 hat-tricks in his career, which spanned from 1923 to 1951, and he is also believed to have scored over 629 goals in over 347 appearances.
Football great Pele scored 92 hat-tricks during his Illustrious career, and his record looks to be the most official and reliable.
Presently, Cristiano Ronaldo is the active player with the most hat-tricks in football, as he has scored 63 hat-tricks so far in his stellar career.
Rival Lionel Messi cues behind him, with 57 hat-tricks to his name, and you definitely can tell that both stars look like they aren’t stopping anytime soon.
Internationally, football great Cristiano Ronaldo also leads the way, with 10 hat-tricks to his name, closely followed by Swedish great Sven Rydell and Lionel Messi, who are both tied on 9 hat-tricks.
What is a perfect hat trick?
A perfect hat trick in football is when a player scores three goals in a football match – one with his head, and two others with his right and left leg respectively.
Examples of players who have scored a perfect hat-trick in football?
- Romelu Lukaku against Manchester United (2012/13 English Premier League season).
- Sergio Aguero against Newcastle United (2015/16 English Premier League season).
- Christian Pulisic against Burnley (2019/20 English Premier League season).
- Erling Haaland against Nottingham Forest (2022/23 English Premier League season).
Names for when a player scores other amounts of goals in football?
2 – Brace
3 – Hat-trick
4 – Haul
5 – Glut
6 – Double Hat-trick
7 – Haul-trick
Notable hat-tricks in football history?
This list is inexhaustible, but here are just a few that we have picked out for you!
Geoff Hurst Vs Germany (1966 World Cup final)
Geoff Hurst for England against Germany in the 1966 FIFA World Cup final. He is the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, before Kylian Mbappe in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
His hat-trick was also instrumental to England winning their first and only World Cup title to date.
Lionel Messi Vs Real Madrid (La Liga 2006/07 season).
Messi scored a hat-trick in the El Classico, and as it has always been with the magisterial magician, there is no limit to what he can do on the football field.
Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Spain (2018 FIFA World Cup)
The man for the big occasion was on target for Portugal against a Spanish side that was filled with a plethora of star players across board, notably, Sergio Ramos, David De Gea, Diego Costa, e.t.c
However, they couldn’t do anything to stop the lethal magician from Madeira, from scoring a hat-trick in that encounter.
