These players stand out by frequently scoring hat-tricks, earning recognition in international football. While it may not appeal to everyone today, representing their country remains a major dream for many players.
International matches bring together top talents, and some players build their legacy not only in clubs but also by representing their nations. Scoring for their country is a proud moment, but a few go further, regularly scoring hat-tricks and becoming legends. Here’s a look at the five players with the most international hat-tricks.
List of Players with Most International Football Hat Tricks
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Hat-Tricks | Total Goals | Active Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 10 | 133 | 2003–Present |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 10 | 110+ | 2005–Present |
| 3 | Sven Rydell | Sweden | 9 | 49 | 1923–1932 |
| 4 | Ali Daei | Iran | 8 | 109 | 1993–2006 |
| 5 | Pele | Brazil | 7 | 77 | 1957–1971 |
5. Pele – 7 Hat-Tricks
Pele, one of football’s all-time greats, made his mark by leading Brazil to their first-ever World Cup win in 1958 at just 18. During that tournament, he became the first teenager to score in a World Cup final.
Pele’s impact on Brazilian football and culture is unmatched, having scored 77 goals in 92 matches for Brazil. Among those, he achieved seven international hat-tricks. Remarkably, he is the only player to win three World Cups. In 2000, Pele was honored as FIFA’s Player of the Century.
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4. Ali Daei – 8 Hat-Tricks
Ali Daei is a legend in Asian football. He played for clubs like Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin but made his mark with Iran’s national team. Daei scored an incredible 109 goals in 149 matches for Iran, with eight international hat-tricks. His record for most international goals stood for 17 years before Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed him in 2021. Daei remains the highest-scoring Asian footballer of all time.
3. Sven Rydell – 9 Hat-Tricks
Sven Rydell, one of Sweden’s greatest strikers, was a major figure in Swedish football. He netted 49 goals in just 43 appearances for the national team, with nine of those being hat-tricks. His record as Sweden’s top scorer stood for 80 years until Zlatan Ibrahimović broke it in 2014.
2. Lionel Messi – 10 Hat-Tricks
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the best footballers ever. The Argentine has achieved almost everything in football, including winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi has scored 58 hat-tricks throughout his career, with 10 of them for Argentina. Some of his international hat-tricks have come against teams like Switzerland, Brazil, and Estonia, making him the highest-scoring South American player in history.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 10 Hat-Tricks
Cristiano Ronaldo holds numerous records, including being the highest international goal scorer with 133 goals. He has netted an astonishing 58 hat-tricks in his career, with 10 of those for Portugal. Ronaldo became the first footballer to score 10 international hat-tricks, achieving this milestone against Luxembourg in 2024, breaking Sven Rydell’s previous record.
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