The 21 Footballers with the Most Hat-Tricks in the 21st Century – Ranked from 21st to 1st
To score a hat-trick in professional football is to enter rarefied air. For most players, netting three times in a single match remains an unattainable dream; entire careers unfold without that moment of perfection. Yet for a small, exceptional group of footballers, the act of taking home the match ball has become a hallmark of their identity.
Since the dawn of the new millennium, a remarkable set of strikers and forwards have elevated the art of goalscoring to unprecedented levels. Their hat-trick records not only capture individual brilliance but also mirror the evolution of the global game—from the dominance of Europe’s elite leagues to the rise of prolific scorers in Asia and beyond.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the twin titans of modern football, naturally top this list, yet the breadth of names reminds us that genius emerges in many forms and contexts. From the polished finishing of Robert Lewandowski to the raw power of Erling Haaland, from the artistry of Neymar to the longevity of Aleksandar Đurić, hat-tricks have been the defining statement of their careers.
This ranking, based on official tallies since 2000, reveals the 21 footballers who have scored the most hat-tricks in the 21st century. The list spans global icons and lesser-known figures, united by a shared gift: the ruthless, repeated ability to score not once, not twice, but three times in a single game.
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Here is the definitive countdown.
#21 – Sergio Agüero (Argentina) – 18 Hat-Tricks
Agüero’s legacy is inseparable from Manchester City’s rise to power. Blessed with a low centre of gravity, explosive acceleration, and a lethal right foot, he terrorised Premier League defences for nearly a decade. His unforgettable last-minute title-winning strike in 2012 epitomised his clutch instinct. Despite being forced into premature retirement at 33 due to a heart condition, his 18 hat-tricks underscore a career of dazzling consistency and clinical brilliance.
#20 – Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Netherlands) – 18 Hat-Tricks
Known as “The Hunter,” Huntelaar epitomised the archetype of the penalty-box predator. From Ajax to Schalke, via brief spells at Real Madrid and AC Milan, he consistently converted half-chances into goals. With 367 club goals and 42 for the Netherlands, his 18 trebles underline not only his instinctive finishing but also his role as one of Europe’s most underappreciated centre-forwards of the 21st century.
#19 – Mario Gómez (Germany) – 18 Hat-Tricks
A towering striker, Gómez was most devastating during his tenure at Bayern Munich, where he scored 113 goals in 174 matches. His aerial dominance and precise finishing made him the archetypal No. 9. Internationally, he was central to Germany’s 2010 World Cup run, though injuries hampered his longevity at the very highest level. His 18 hat-tricks reflect both his prime potency and his status as one of the Bundesliga’s enduring marksmen.
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#18 – Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden) – 20 Hat-Tricks
Few players blended charisma and technical audacity like Zlatan. Across Inter, Barcelona, PSG, and Manchester United, he combined balletic acrobatics with sheer physical dominance. His catalogue of goals ranges from thundering volleys to gravity-defying bicycle kicks. Retiring only in 2023, his 20 hat-tricks capture both his relentless drive and his unshakable belief in his own greatness.
#17 – Firas Al-Khatib (Syria) – 20 Hat-Tricks
While less known in Europe, Al-Khatib became a legend across Kuwait, Iraq, and China. His intelligence in the final third and adaptability allowed him to thrive in multiple leagues, collecting silverware with Al-Arabi, Al-Qadsia, and Kuwait SC. With 36 goals in 72 international appearances, he remains Syria’s record scorer. His 20 hat-tricks reflect his unique role as the Middle East’s most prolific modern striker.
#16 – Greg Draper (New Zealand) – 20 Hat-Tricks
Though operating far from football’s glamour, Draper’s achievements with The New Saints in Wales are extraordinary. His 163 goals in 252 league games included 20 hat-tricks, a strike rate that made him a cult hero for the club. While critics might question the standard of opposition, consistency at such a level requires remarkable skill and discipline, qualities Draper embodied.
#15 – Kylian Mbappé (France) – 21 Hat-Tricks
Still only in his mid-twenties, Mbappé has already secured a World Cup and a blockbuster move to Real Madrid. His searing pace, explosive finishing, and composure under pressure make him one of the defining forwards of his generation. By 2025, he had amassed 21 career hat-tricks, including decisive trebles in both Ligue 1 and La Liga. His trajectory suggests he may eventually rival the very top of this list.
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#14 – Neymar (Brazil) – 21 Hat-Tricks
A showman as much as a scorer, Neymar is unique on this list as a winger rather than a pure striker. Yet across Santos, Barcelona, PSG, and now Santos once more, he has delivered 21 hat-tricks, blending dazzling dribbles with an instinct for decisive finishes. His goalscoring has often been overshadowed by his flair, but his record demonstrates just how consistently he has delivered end product alongside artistry.
#13 – Sebastián Tagliabúe (Argentina/UAE) – 21 Hat-Tricks
After starting in Argentina, Tagliabúe’s career flourished in the Middle East, particularly with Al-Wahda in the UAE Pro League. Scoring 152 times in 157 league games, he achieved a ratio to rival any striker globally. His naturalised representation of the UAE highlighted his status as a cult figure in the region. His 21 hat-tricks reflect ruthless efficiency in an environment often dismissed but fiercely competitive.
#12 – Aleksandar Đurić (Singapore) – 22 Hat-Tricks
Perhaps the most remarkable career on this list, Đurić played until the age of 49, spanning 18 clubs across nearly three decades. Representing Singapore internationally, he became a talismanic figure and embodied longevity in professional sport. His 22 hat-tricks are not only a testament to his quality but also to his extraordinary endurance and adaptability across continents and eras.
#11 – Abderrazak Hamdallah (Morocco) – 23 Hat-Tricks
Hamdallah carved out his reputation as a prolific scorer in North Africa, China, and later Saudi Arabia. With Al Nassr, he became a household name across the Gulf, regularly topping scoring charts. His 23 hat-tricks showcase his instinctive finishing, particularly in high-scoring leagues where his consistency set him apart. Though less globally known, his numbers place him among the world’s elite poachers.
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#10 – Marc Lloyd Williams (Wales) – 24 Hat-Tricks
A name largely unfamiliar outside Britain, Lloyd Williams dominated the Welsh Premier League, amassing 319 goals. His 24 hat-tricks cemented his reputation as one of the most prolific domestic strikers of the century. While never gracing Europe’s elite stages, his relentless output demonstrates that greatness can be measured in many forms.
#9 – Vyacheslav Zahovaiko (Estonia) – 26 Hat-Tricks
Zahovaiko’s story is one of sustained dominance in Estonian football. Leading the line with physical presence and a keen eye for goal, he scored freely for Flora Tallinn and beyond. His 26 hat-tricks may not have brought global fame, but within his national context, he remains a towering figure and a symbol of consistency.
#8 – Erling Haaland (Norway) – 26 Hat-Tricks
Already a phenomenon at just 25, Haaland has obliterated scoring records at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. His combination of sheer size, blistering pace, and clinical finishing has made him one of the most feared strikers of the modern era. With 26 hat-tricks so early in his career, projections suggest he could one day rival Ronaldo and Messi if his form continues unchecked.
#7 – Ali Mabkhout (UAE) – 27 Hat-Tricks
A national hero in the UAE, Mabkhout’s goals for Al Jazira and his national team have cemented his place in football history. With 27 hat-tricks, he has consistently delivered on both domestic and international stages. While not competing in Europe, his impact regionally is immense, and his tally speaks to remarkable longevity and reliability.
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#6 – Harry Kane (England) – 28 Hat-Tricks
England’s all-time leading scorer and now spearheading Bayern Munich, Kane’s record is a study in consistency. His 28 hat-tricks reflect his ability to score from distance, with either foot, and in pressure situations. Renowned for both finishing and link-up play, he embodies the modern striker, equally adept at scoring and creating.
#5 – Luis Suárez (Uruguay) – 30 Hat-Tricks
Suárez’s career has been as controversial as it has been brilliant. From Ajax to Liverpool and Barcelona, he delivered moments of sheer genius, combining technical brilliance with a relentless will to win. His 30 hat-tricks underline his capacity to dominate defences in every league he played, cementing his reputation as one of the most feared strikers of his generation.
#4 – Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 33 Hat-Tricks
Lewandowski stands as the consummate professional, defined by his discipline, intelligence, and lethal finishing. His legendary five-goal performance for Bayern Munich against Wolfsburg in 2015 encapsulates his explosive potential. With 33 hat-tricks, his consistency across Bundesliga and La Liga makes him one of the most complete forwards in football history.
#3 – Ali Ashfaq (Maldives) – 35 Hat-Tricks
Nicknamed “Dhagandey” in his homeland, Ashfaq is a regional icon whose dominance in Maldivian and Malaysian football is unrivalled. His 35 hat-tricks, achieved in less prominent leagues, nevertheless demonstrate extraordinary technical skill and goalscoring acumen. For fans in South Asia, he remains a symbol of what local legends can achieve.
#2 – Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 59 Hat-Tricks
Messi’s 59 hat-tricks tell only part of the story. Across La Liga, the Champions League, and international football, he combined visionary playmaking with an unparalleled eye for goal. From his famous five-goal demolition of Bayer Leverkusen in 2012 to countless Clásico performances, his trebles were never just numbers—they were masterpieces. His artistry redefined what was possible in football.
#1 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 66 Hat-Tricks
At the summit stands Cristiano Ronaldo with 66 hat-tricks, the most of any player this century. From Manchester United to Real Madrid, Juventus, and Portugal, his trebles have come in every competition imaginable—domestic leagues, Champions League knockouts, and international qualifiers. His longevity, professionalism, and relentless hunger for goals have carried him into his forties still breaking records. No other player embodies the hat-trick as both a personal trademark and a symbol of dominance quite like Ronaldo.
