Star Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has now equaled his biggest rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for scoring most hat-tricks in the history of international football. During the FIFA World Cup American qualifiers match against Bolivia on Wednesday, Messi went on to score three goals as Argentina registered a dominant 6-0 win.
Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now have 10 hat-tricks each to their name in their international career. The two of the greatest footballers from Argentina and Portugal now have joint-most hat-tricks in international football. In the following listicle, we will have a look at the top five players with most number of hat-tricks in international football.
Most hat-tricks in international football
5. Pele - 7 hat-tricks
Brazilian football great Pele comes fifth in the list of players to score most number of hat-tricks in international football. The 1958 FIFA World Cup winner has been an influential figure in Brazil’s football history. Pele has scored 7 hat-tricks in his international career for Brazil national football team.
4. Ali Daei – 8 hat-tricks
Ali Daei is a legend of Iranian football with 108 goals in 148 games in his international football career. He is also the third highest goal scorer of all-time in international football. Apart from that, Daei also comes fourth in the list of players with most hat-tricks in international football with 8 hat-tricks in his career for Iran.
3. Sven Rydell - 9 hat-tricks
Swedish football icon Sven Rydell has scored the third most hat-tricks in the history of international football. He has scored 49 goals in 43 matches for Sweden including 9 hat-tricks in his international football career.
2. Lionel Messi - 10 hat-tricks
Argentine football star Lionel Messi has scored the joint most hat-tricks in international football history. The 2022 FIFA World champion Messi is also the second-highest goal scorer in international football with 109 goals in 187 matches. Apart from that, Messi has 10-hat-tricks to his name in international football.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo - 10 hat-tricks
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest goal-scorer off all time in international football and also tops the list to score joint most international hat-tricks. Ronaldo has scored 133 goals in 216 appearances for Portugal. Apart from that, he has also scored 10 hat-tricks in his international career.
