Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have ruled modern football for nearly two decades, dominating the game of football at the highest level for about 15 years, from 2008 to 2023.
What’s special about them?
The answer is that both are wonderful gifts but different qualities.
Lionel Messi is globally recognized as the greatest footballer in history, by his unmatched style of playing, dribbling, and efficiency. He holds nearly every major record in football.
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in history with his dignified performance and his unmatched goalscoring record, relentless work ethic, and extraordinary physical athleticism. He is the first men’s player to surpass 900 official career goals and holds the all-time records for the most goals in the UEFA Champions League and international men’s football.
Lionel Messi has scored 61 career hat-tricks. This impressive total includes 50 hat-tricks for Barcelona, 11 for the Argentina national team, and 2 for Inter Miami.
Here are some of his most memorable hat-tricks for Barcelona in La Liga & CopA Del Rey with opponents.
Madrid two times, March 2007 and 2014 Laliga.
Atlético Madrid, Celta Vigo, Deportivo La Coruña, Espanyol, Einar, Granada, Levante, Málaga, Mallorca, Osasuna, Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis, Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Valencia.
UEFA Champions League
Arsenal (2009-2010 Quarter-final) — Scored 4 goalsViktoria Plzeň (2011-2012 Group Stage)Bayer Leverkusen (2011-2012 Round of 16) – Scored 5 goalsAjax (2013-2014 Group Stage)apollo (2014-2015 Group Stage)Celtic (2016-2017 Group Stage)Manchester City (2016-2017 Group Stage)PSI Eindhoven (2018-2019 Group Stage)
Inter Miami CF
New England Revolution (October 19, 2024)Nashville SC (October 18, 2025)FC Cincinnati (May 13, 2026)
International
Algeria, Bolivia (scored twice)BrazilCuraçaoEcuadorEstoniaGuatemalaHaitiPanamaSwitzerland.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 66 career hat-tricks for both club and country.
In Real Madrid, there are 44 hat-tricks in all competitions. Like Laliga against
Atlético Madrid, Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Celta Vigo, Espagnol, Getafe, Granada, Levante, Málaga, Mallorca, Osasuna, Rayo Vallecano, Real Sociedad, Valencia, Zaragoza, Almería, Deportivo La Coruña, Elke, Levante, Racing Santander, and Sporting Gijón.
UEFA Champions League:
Bayern Munich, Atlantic Madrid, Wolfsburg, Malmö, Shakhtar Donetsk, Ajax, and Galatasaray. Copa Del Rey: Celta Vigo.
Juventus (Serie A):3 hat-tricks.
Against Cagliari (x2).
Manchester United: 3 hat-tricks
Against Tottenham Hotspur (x2) and Norwich City. FA Cup: Newcastle United.
Al-Nassr (6 Hat-Tricks)Saudi Pro League & Super Cup against Al-Fateh, Damac, Al-Ta’ee, Abha, Al-Wehda, and Al-Tai.
Portugal National Team: 10 hat-tricks.
2918 worldcup Portugal against Spain
Sweden, Lithuania (x2), Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, Armenia, Andorra, Faroe Islands, and Northern Ireland.