10 players with the most hat-tricks in football history: No Ronaldo or Messi, Pele falls far behind the leader

The modern era of football is defined by the relentless rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi. According to the Guinness World Records, in the 21st century, no one can match Ronaldo’s efficiency in terms of scoring trebles. As of now, the Portuguese legend has secured 66 career hat-tricks, maintaining a significant lead over Messi, who sits at 59. 

When we mention CR7, we are talking about the very definition of a goal. Even at 41 years old, he continues to tear through opposing defenses, fueled by a burning ambition to reach the 1,000-goal milestone before hanging up his boots. Ronaldo possesses an unparalleled hunger; he wants his name to be number one in every difficult football record, especially surpassing the legendary 1,281-goal mark of King Pele.

However, Nowgoalpro has some sobering news for Ronaldo and his global fanbase. Currently, he is not the top-ranked player with most hat tricks in football history. In fact, both he and his greatest rival, Messi, do not even break into the top 10 of this specific all-time list. It may come as a shock to fans of the modern game, but the 20th century witnessed several "scoring storms" that swept away entire leagues. To put it in perspective, the number of hat-tricks scored by the man at the top of the mountain is nearly 60 more than that of Pele.

Top 10 players with most hat tricks in football history

10. Frederick Roberts (77 hat-tricks) 

The list begins at number 10 with Frederick Roberts, a Northern Irish powerhouse who terrorized defenses primarily in the 1920s and 1930s. Roberts is estimated to have scored over 600 career goals, including a staggering 77 hat-tricks. He spent his most prolific years at Glentoran, where he became a club icon. 

9. Fernando Peyroteo (80 hat-tricks)

Playing for Sporting Lisbon between 1937 and 1949, Peyroteo netted 80 hat-tricks in just 334 official matches. His goal-to-game ratio remains one of the highest ever recorded, and he retired as Sporting’s all-time leading scorer.

7-8. Joseph Bambrick, Ronnie Rooke (86 hat-tricks)

The seventh spot is shared by 2 legends: Joseph Bambrick and Ronnie Rooke, both with 86 hat-tricks. Bambrick was a star for Linfield in the 1930s and later played for Chelsea, while Rooke became a folk hero at Fulham and Arsenal. Rooke’s career was unique as he continued to score prolifically during wartime matches while serving in the RAF. 

6. Pele (88 hat-tricks)

At number 6, we find the legendary Pele. Although his total career goals are often debated, the RSSSF credits "The King" with 88 hat-tricks in official matches. Pele’s first professional hat-trick came at just 16 years old for Santos, and he remains the youngest player to score a treble in a World Cup final (1958).

5. Jimmy Jones (91 hat-tricks)

Moving into the top 5, Jimmy Jones holds 91 hat-tricks. Playing between 1943 and 1965, mostly in the Irish League with Glenavon, Jones was a scoring machine who averaged over a goal per game. 

4. Ernst Wilimowski (96 hat-tricks)

In fourth place is Ernst Wilimowski, a dual international for Poland and Germany. Known as "Ezi," he scored 96 hat-tricks between 1932 and 1956. He is famously remembered for scoring four goals in a single match against Brazil in the 1938 World Cup. 

3. Ferenc Deak (97 hat-tricks)

The third spot belongs to Ferenc Deak, the Hungarian maestro who scored 97 hat-tricks. His prime years were spent at Szentlorinci and Ferencvaros, where his 795 official goals made him one of the greatest strikers in Eastern European history.

2. Josef Bican (137 hat-tricks)

The runner-up is the legendary Josef Bican, who is credited with 137 hat-tricks. Bican, who played for both Austria and Czechoslovakia, scored nearly 950 official goals in a career spanning from 1931 to 1955. He once set a record by scoring 5 consecutive hat-tricks in 5 matches in 1940. 

1. Erwin Helmchen (142 hat-tricks)

The German forward is estimated to have scored 142 hat-tricks. Although many were scored in the German regional divisions during the 1920s-1940s, his total of 989 career goals is recognized by historians as the pinnacle of scoring volume. Helmchen retired after 28 years of football, leaving a record that seems impossible to break.

Top 10 players with most hat-tricks in history:

Erwin Helmchen - 142 hat-tricks

Josef Bican - 137 hat-tricks

Ferenc Deak - 97 hat-tricks

Ernst Wilimowski - 96 hat-tricks

Jimmy Jones - 91 hat-tricks

Pele - 88 hat-tricks

Ronnie Rooke - 86 hat-tricks

Joseph Bambrick - 86 hat-tricks

Fernando Peyroteo - 80 hat-tricks

Frederick Roberts - 77 hat-tricks

It must be noted that football has changed at a lightning pace over the last 50 years. Significant improvements in defensive tactics, rule changes, and advanced technology have made the task of the modern striker much more difficult. While we empathize with Ronaldo and Messi for the high-pressure environment they compete in, the legends listed by Nowgoalpro.net remain towering monuments of the sport. These pioneers, including the ultimate player with most hat tricks in football history, deserve immense respect for achieving feats that few humans will ever replicate.

Aside from these captivating historical insights, our platform serves as the premier destination for every football devotee. We provide the latest breaking news, in-depth analytical features, and precise statistical data for every fixture. 

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