Lionel Messi, who needs no introduction to the football circuit, has consistently risen above the ranks. Not long ago, he made headlines by scoring a hat-trick against Bolivia, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 10 international hat-tricks. This Argentine star began his career with Barcelona, making an impact at a young age by dominating opponents.
He made his debut for Barcelona in 2003, but his breakthrough moment came in the 2006-2007 season when he scored his first-ever hat-trick against Real Madrid. Since then, there has been no looking back, as Messi has continued to achieve feats that most can only dream of throughout his illustrious career.
Messi hat-tricks list
As mentioned, there was no looking back after Messi’s hat-trick against Real Madrid. Over the years, whether playing for Argentina, FC Barcelona, or Inter Miami, this legend has now scored 59 career hat-tricks, just seven short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 66. However, if we focus solely on international hat-tricks, Lionel Messi has already equalled Ronaldo’s record in this category.
| No | Date | Competition | Opponent | Goals Scored | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10-03-2007 | La Liga | Real Madrid | 3 | Barcelona |
| 2 | 06-01-2009 | Copa del Rey | Atletico Madrid | 3 | Barcelona |
| 3 | 10-01-2010 | La Liga | Tenerife | 3 | Barcelona |
| 4 | 14-03-2010 | La Liga | Valencia | 3 | Barcelona |
| 5 | 21-03-2010 | La Liga | Real Zaragoza | 3 | Barcelona |
| 6 | 06-04-2010 | Champions League | Arsenal | 4 | Barcelona |
| 7 | 21-08-2010 | Spanish Super Cup | Sevilla | 3 | Barcelona |
| 8 | 20-11-2010 | La Liga | Almeria | 3 | Barcelona |
| 9 | 12-01-2011 | Copa del Rey | Real Betis | 3 | Barcelona |
| 10 | 05-02-2011 | La Liga | Atletico Madrid | 3 | Barcelona |
| 11 | 17-09-2011 | La Liga | Osasuna | 3 | Barcelona |
| 12 | 24-09-2011 | La Liga | Atletico Madrid | 3 | Barcelona |
| 13 | 29-10-2011 | La Liga | Mallorca | 3 | Barcelona |
| 14 | 01-11-2011 | Champions League | Viktoria Plzen | 3 | Barcelona |
| 15 | 22-01-2012 | La Liga | Malaga | 3 | Barcelona |
| 16 | 19-02-2012 | La Liga | Valencia | 4 | Barcelona |
| 17 | 29-02-2012 | Friendly International | Switzerland | 3 | Argentina |
| 18 | 07-03-2012 | Champions League | Bayer Leverkusen | 5 | Barcelona |
| 19 | 20-03-2012 | La Liga | Granada | 3 | Barcelona |
| 20 | 02-05-2012 | La Liga | Malaga | 3 | Barcelona |
| 21 | 05-05-2012 | La Liga | Espanyol | 4 | Barcelona |
| 22 | 09-06-2012 | Friendly International | Brazil | 3 | Argentina |
| 23 | 20-10-2012 | La Liga | Deportivo La Coruna | 3 | Barcelona |
| 24 | 27-01-2013 | La Liga | Osasuna | 4 | Barcelona |
| 25 | 15-06-2013 | Friendly International | Guatemala | 3 | Argentina |
| 26 | 01-09-2013 | La Liga | Valencia | 3 | Barcelona |
| 27 | 18-09-2013 | Champions League | Ajax | 3 | Barcelona |
| 28 | 16-03-2014 | La Liga | Osasuna | 3 | Barcelona |
| 29 | 23-03-2014 | La Liga | Real Madrid | 3 | Barcelona |
| 30 | 22-11-2014 | La Liga | Sevilla | 3 | Barcelona |
| 31 | 25-11-2014 | Champions League | APOEL | 3 | Barcelona |
| 32 | 07-12-2014 | La Liga | Espanyol | 3 | Barcelona |
| 33 | 18-01-2015 | La Liga | Deportivo La Coruna | 3 | Barcelona |
| 34 | 15-02-2015 | La Liga | Levante | 3 | Barcelona |
| 35 | 08-03-2015 | La Liga | Rayo Vallecano | 3 | Barcelona |
| 36 | 09-01-2016 | La Liga | Granada | 3 | Barcelona |
| 37 | 03-02-2016 | Copa del Rey | Valencia | 3 | Barcelona |
| 38 | 03-03-2016 | La Liga | Rayo Vallecano | 3 | Barcelona |
| 39 | 11-06-2016 | Copa America | Panama | 3 | Argentina |
| 40 | 13-09-2016 | Champions League | Celtic | 3 | Barcelona |
| 41 | 19-10-2016 | Champions League | Manchester City | 3 | Barcelona |
| 42 | 09-09-2017 | La Liga | Espanyol | 3 | Barcelona |
| 43 | 19-09-2017 | La Liga | Eibar | 4 | Barcelona |
| 44 | 11-10-2017 | World Cup Qualifiers | Ecuador | 3 | Argentina |
| 45 | 07-04-2018 | La Liga | Leganes | 3 | Barcelona |
| 46 | 29-04-2018 | La Liga | Deportivo La Coruna | 3 | Barcelona |
| 47 | 30-05-2018 | Friendly International | Haiti | 3 | Argentina |
| 48 | 18-09-2018 | Champions League | PSV | 3 | Barcelona |
| 49 | 16-12-2018 | La Liga | Levante | 3 | Barcelona |
| 50 | 23-02-2019 | La Liga | Sevilla | 3 | Barcelona |
| 51 | 17-03-2019 | La Liga | Real Betis | 3 | Barcelona |
| 52 | 09-11-2019 | La Liga | Celta Vigo | 3 | Barcelona |
| 53 | 07-12-2019 | La Liga | Mallorca | 3 | Barcelona |
| 54 | 22-02-2020 | La Liga | Eibar | 4 | Barcelona |
| 55 | 10-09-2021 | World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia | 3 | Argentina |
| 56 | 05-06-2022 | Friendly International | Estonia | 5 | Argentina |
| 57 | 29-03-2023 | Friendly International | Curacao | 3 | Argentina |
| 58 | 16-10-2024 | World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia | 3 | Argentina |
| 59 | 19-10-2024 | MLS | New England Revolution | 3 | Inter Miami |
Messi vs Ronaldo hat-trick: Clash of icons
If we ask any football fan which two players they would watch 24/7, the two names that will surely come to mind are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. And why not? These players have consistently defied the odds. On one hand, the Portuguese giant has always shown why he is a key player, whether currently playing for Al Nassr or in the past with Juventus or Real Madrid.
On the other hand, FIFA World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi has done the same, and what he has accomplished so far is commendable. Speaking of their hat-tricks, Cristiano holds the record for the most career hat-tricks by an active player, with 66, but Messi is not far behind with 59 already in the bank.
To break it down further, both icons have scored a record 8 hat-tricks in the UEFA Champions League, with Messi achieving this while playing for Barcelona. Also, both players have achieved a career-best of nine hat-tricks in a single calendar year, with Ronaldo achieving this in 2011 and Messi a year later.
Messi hat-tricks for Argentina
Lionel Messi has hit 10 hat-tricks for Argentina. His last came against Bolivia in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He also assisted two goals in the 6-0 thrashing of the South American opponent.
| No | Date | Competition | Opponent | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 29-02-2012 | FIFA Friendly | Switzerland | 3 |
| 22 | 09-06-2012 | FIFA Friendly | Brazil | 3 |
| 25 | 15-06-2013 | FIFA Friendly | Guatemala | 3 |
| 39 | 11-06-2016 | Copa America | Panama | 3 |
| 44 | 11-10-2017 | World Cup Qualifiers | Ecuador | 3 |
| 47 | 30-05-2018 | FIFA Friendly | Haiti | 3 |
| 55 | 10-09-2021 | World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia | 3 |
| 56 | 05-06-2022 | FIFA Friendly | Estonia | 5 |
| 57 | 29-03-2023 | FIFA Friendly | Curacao | 3 |
| 58 | 16-10-2024 | World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia | 3 |
Messi hat-tricks for Barcelona
Lionel Messi has played for three big clubs in total, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, and Barcelona. What is commendable is that Messi has scored 49 club hat-tricks in total, with 48 of them coming while playing for just one team, FC Barcelona.
If we focus solely on La Liga, Messi has scored 36 La Liga hat-tricks, making him the player with the most hat-tricks in the competition’s history. Apart from him, Cristiano Ronaldo is in second place, recording 34 hat-tricks for Real Madrid. No other player has scored more than 23 hat-tricks in this competition.
| No | Date | Competition | Opponent | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10-03-2007 | La Liga | Real Madrid | 3 |
| 2 | 06-01-2009 | Copa del Rey | Atletico Madrid | 3 |
| 3 | 10-01-2010 | La Liga | Tenerife | 3 |
| 4 | 14-03-2010 | La Liga | Valencia | 3 |
| 5 | 21-03-2010 | La Liga | Real Zaragoza | 3 |
| 6 | 06-04-2010 | Champions League | Arsenal | 4 |
| 7 | 21-08-2010 | Spanish Super Cup | Sevilla | 3 |
| 8 | 20-11-2010 | La Liga | Almeria | 3 |
| 9 | 12-01-2011 | Copa del Rey | Real Betis | 3 |
| 10 | 05-02-2011 | La Liga | Atletico Madrid | 3 |
| 11 | 17-09-2011 | La Liga | Osasuna | 3 |
| 12 | 24-09-2011 | La Liga | Atletico Madrid | 3 |
| 13 | 29-10-2011 | La Liga | Mallorca | 3 |
| 14 | 01-11-2011 | Champions League | Viktoria Plzen | 3 |
| 15 | 22-01-2012 | La Liga | Malaga | 3 |
| 16 | 19-02-2012 | La Liga | Valencia | 4 |
| 17 | 07-03-2012 | Champions League | Bayer Leverkusen | 5 |
| 18 | 20-03-2012 | La Liga | Granada | 3 |
| 19 | 02-05-2012 | La Liga | Malaga | 3 |
| 20 | 05-05-2012 | La Liga | Espanyol | 4 |
| 21 | 20-10-2012 | La Liga | Deportivo La Coruna | 3 |
| 22 | 27-01-2013 | La Liga | Osasuna | 4 |
| 23 | 01-09-2013 | La Liga | Valencia | 3 |
| 24 | 18-09-2013 | Champions League | Ajax | 3 |
| 25 | 16-03-2014 | La Liga | Osasuna | 3 |
| 26 | 23-03-2014 | La Liga | Real Madrid | 3 |
| 27 | 22-11-2014 | La Liga | Sevilla | 3 |
| 28 | 25-11-2014 | Champions League | APOEL | 3 |
| 29 | 07-12-2014 | La Liga | Espanyol | 3 |
| 30 | 18-01-2015 | La Liga | Deportivo La Coruna | 3 |
| 31 | 15-02-2015 | La Liga | Levante | 3 |
| 32 | 08-03-2015 | La Liga | Rayo Vallecano | 3 |
| 33 | 09-01-2016 | La Liga | Granada | 3 |
| 34 | 03-02-2016 | Copa del Rey | Valencia | 3 |
| 35 | 03-03-2016 | La Liga | Rayo Vallecano | 3 |
| 36 | 13-09-2016 | Champions League | Celtic | 3 |
| 37 | 19-10-2016 | Champions League | Manchester City | 3 |
| 38 | 09-09-2017 | La Liga | Espanyol | 3 |
| 39 | 19-09-2017 | La Liga | Eibar | 4 |
| 40 | 07-04-2018 | La Liga | Leganes | 3 |
| 41 | 29-04-2018 | La Liga | Deportivo La Coruna | 3 |
| 42 | 18-09-2018 | Champions League | PSV | 3 |
| 43 | 16-12-2018 | La Liga | Levante | 3 |
| 44 | 23-02-2019 | La Liga | Sevilla | 3 |
| 45 | 17-03-2019 | La Liga | Real Betis | 3 |
| 46 | 09-11-2019 | La Liga | Celta Vigo | 3 |
| 47 | 07-12-2019 | La Liga | Mallorca | 3 |
| 48 | 22-02-2020 | La Liga | Eibar | 4 |
Messi hat-tricks for Inter Miami
Even at 37, Lionel Messi hasn’t stopped his scoring habits, especially his knack of scoring hat-tricks. He already has a hat-trick in the Major League Soccer. Messi scored three against New England Revolution in October 2024.
Messi first hat trick
It was all about Lionel Messi on 10 March 2007, when the 19-year-old announced his arrival on the big stage by scoring his first-ever career hat-trick for Barcelona in El Clasico. An interesting fact about that match is that Real Madrid were in the lead, but in the final minutes of play, the youngster broke through Madrid’s defence with a powerful strike, making it 3-3.
Messi last hat trick
Messi’s last hat trick came not long ago, on 16 October 2024, when he thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, in front of an adoring home crowd at the Buenos Aires stadium. The team won 6-0, and Messi stamped his authority with 3 goals, his first in the 19th minute, the second in the 84th, and the last in the 86th.
Messi hat trick without penalties
There is no doubt that a hat-trick is a hat-trick, but the icing on the cake is when it is achieved without any penalty help. In that list, Messi comes out on top, having scored 44 hat-tricks without penalties. On the other hand, Messi’s great rival Ronaldo has scored 33 out of his 66 hat-tricks without penalties.
| Date | Team | Opponent | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19/10/2024 | Inter Miami | New England | MLS |
| 15/10/2024 | Argentina | Bolivia | World Cup Qualifier |
| 28/03/2023 | Argentina | Curacao | Friendly |
| 10/09/2021 | Argentina | Bolivia | World Cup Qualifier |
| 22/02/2020 | Barcelona | Eibar | La Liga |
| 7/12/2019 | Barcelona | Mallorca | La Liga |
| 17/03/2019 | Barcelona | Real Betis | La Liga |
| 23/02/2019 | Barcelona | Sevilla | La Liga |
| 16/12/2018 | Barcelona | Levante | La Liga |
| 18/09/2018 | Barcelona | PSV | UCL |
| 29/04/2018 | Barcelona | Deportivo La Coruna | La Liga |
| 7/4/2018 | Barcelona | Leganes | La Liga |
| 11/10/2017 | Argentina | Ecuador | World Cup Qualifier |
| 09/09/2017 | Barcelona | Espanyol | La Liga |
| 19/10/2016 | Barcelona | Manchester City | UCL |
| 13/09/2016 | Barcelona | Celtic | UCL |
| 11/06/2016 | Argentina | Panama | Copa America |
| 03/03/2016 | Barcelona | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga |
| 03/02/2016 | Barcelona | Valencia | Copa del Rey |
| 09/01/2016 | Barcelona | Granada | La Liga |
| 18/1/2015 | Barcelona | Deportivo La Coruna | La Liga |
| 7/12/2014 | Barcelona | Espanyol | La Liga |
| 25/11/2014 | Barcelona | APOEL | UCL |
| 22/11/2014 | Barcelona | Sevilla | La Liga |
| 16/03/2014 | Barcelona | Osasuna | La Liga |
| 18/09/2013 | Barcelona | Ajax | UCL |
| 01/09/2013 | Barcelona | Valencia | La Liga |
| 20/10/2012 | Barcelona | Deportivo La Coruna | La Liga |
| 09/06/2012 | Argentina | Brazil | Friendly |
| 20/03/2012 | Barcelona | Granada | La Liga |
| 07/03/2012 | Barcelona | Bayer Leverkusen | UCL |
| 19/02/2012 | Barcelona | Valencia | La Liga |
| 22/01/2012 | Barcelona | Malaga | La Liga |
| 24/09/2011 | Barcelona | Atletico Madrid | La Liga |
| 17/09/2011 | Barcelona | Osasuna | La Liga |
| 5/2/2011 | Barcelona | Atletico Madrid | La Liga |
| 12/01/2011 | Barcelona | Real Betis | Copa del Rey |
| 20/11/2010 | Barcelona | Almeria | La Liga |
| 21/08/2010 | Barcelona | Sevilla | Supercopa |
| 06/04/2010 | Barcelona | Arsenal | UCL |
| 21/3/2010 | Barcelona | Real Zaragoza | La Liga |
| 14/03/2010 | Barcelona | Valencia | La Liga |
| 10/01/2010 | Barcelona | Tenerife | La Liga |
| 10/03/2007 | Barcelona | Real Madrid | La Liga |
How many perfect hat-tricks has Messi scored?
On the one hand, where a hat trick is difficult, if we add another level and check which players have scored three goals in a single game, scoring one with the left foot, one with the right foot, and with a header as well, it almost looks impossible. Messi does not have a perfect hat-trick in his career so far.
He has scored several hat-tricks during his illustrious career, and while many of them have been sensational, his perfect hat-trick was completed on 7 March 2012 in a Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen. In that match, Messi scored five goals, with one of them being a perfect hat-trick, using his left foot, right foot, and head to score in different ways.
Number of Messi hat-tricks after turning 30
Messi has scored a total of 18 hat-tricks after turning 30, while his rival Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 36 since he turned 30 in 2015. This means that, combined, both of their hat-tricks total 54 after turning 30 years old. Although not in European leagues anymore, both Messi and Ronaldo are going strong and will add many more to their elusive lists.
| No | Date | Competition | Opponent | Goals Scored | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 09-09-2017 | La Liga | Espanyol | 3 | Barcelona |
| 2 | 19-09-2017 | La Liga | Eibar | 4 | Barcelona |
| 3 | 11-10-2017 | World Cup Qualifiers | Ecuador | 3 | Argentina |
| 4 | 07-04-2018 | La Liga | Leganes | 3 | Barcelona |
| 5 | 29-04-2018 | La Liga | Deportivo La Coruna | 3 | Barcelona |
| 6 | 30-05-2018 | Friendly International | Haiti | 3 | Argentina |
| 7 | 18-09-2018 | Champions League | PSV | 3 | Barcelona |
| 8 | 16-12-2018 | La Liga | Levante | 3 | Barcelona |
| 9 | 23-02-2019 | La Liga | Sevilla | 3 | Barcelona |
| 10 | 17-03-2019 | La Liga | Real Betis | 3 | Barcelona |
| 11 | 09-11-2019 | La Liga | Celta Vigo | 3 | Barcelona |
| 12 | 07-12-2019 | La Liga | Mallorca | 3 | Barcelona |
| 13 | 22-02-2020 | La Liga | Eibar | 4 | Barcelona |
| 14 | 10-09-2021 | World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia | 3 | Argentina |
| 15 | 05-06-2022 | Friendly International | Estonia | 5 | Argentina |
| 16 | 29-03-2023 | Friendly International | Curacao | 3 | Argentina |
| 17 | 16-10-2024 | World Cup Qualifiers | Bolivia | 3 | Argentina |
| 18 | 19-10-2024 | MLS | New England Revolution | 3 | Inter Miami |
FAQs on Lionel Messi hat-tricks
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more hat-tricks than Lionel Messi. Ronaldo has 66 career hat-tricks while Messi has 59.
Lionel Messi has scored 59 hat-tricks in his career so far.
Lionel Messi is the only player to have two hat-tricks in El Clasico or against Real Madrid.
Lionel Messi scored a whopping 48 hat-tricks for FC Barcelona.
When a player scores from left-foot, right-foot and header in the same match, it is called a perfect hat-trick. But Lionel Messi has never scored a perfect hat-trick.
