Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Who has scored more hat-tricks for club and country?
Lionel Messi starred with a hat-trick - his first in 2024 for club and country - to inch closer to Cristiano Ronaldo as Argentina thumped Bolivia 6-0 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday (October 15).
Messi, 37, opened the scoring at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires inside 17 minutes before Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez strikes put the hosts three goals to the good at half-time.
The reigning world champions didn't ease off after the break, with Thiago Almada scoring in the 69th minute before Messi netted twice late on to complete his 58th career hat-trick for club and country. He's now eight behind his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has had three hat-tricks in 2024.
The win keeps Argentina three points clear of second-placed Colombia (19) after 10 games in the CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier standings, having been held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela four days earlier.
Apart from his hat-trick, Messi also provided two assists on the night as he improved to 846 career goals, 60 behind Ronaldo, who drew a blank in Portugal's goalless draw at Scotland in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday.
A detailed break-up of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's hat-tricks for club and country
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are undoubtedly two of the best players - especially goalscorers - to have graced the beautiful game. The duo are still going strong despite emerging on the scene two decades ago.
Ronaldo's 66 career hat-tricks is the most by an active player, with a record 10 of them coming in international football with Portugal, a mark Messi tied on Tuesday against Bolivia.
The two legends have each struck a record eight hat-tricks in the UEFA Champions League, with Messi doing so for a single club (Barcelona). The Argentine is also the La Liga hat-trick leader with 36, with Ronaldo a close second with 34.
With his effort against Bolivia, Messi has now scored a hat-trick for a 16th straight calendar year, one better than Ronaldo, who has done so every year since 2010. Remarkably, both legends have struck a career-best nine hat-tricks in a calendar year, with Ronaldo doing so in 2011 and Messi following suit a year later.
However, Ronaldo has since had three years with at least seven hat-tricks for club and country (8,8,7), while Messi hasn't gone past five (twice - 2014, 2018).