From Messi to Ronaldo: 5 players with the most hat-tricks in Champions League history

The UEFA Champions League is widely recognized as the most prestigious club football competition in the world. Contested by Europe’s elite, the tournament is not only the most-watched club competition globally, but also serves as the ultimate stage for greatness. Winning it cements a team’s place in football history—and often earns them the title of the best club side on the planet.

First introduced in 1955 as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, the tournament was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992. Over the decades, it has been graced by some of the greatest players in football history.

Real Madrid remain the competition’s most successful club with 15 titles, while Paris Saint-Germain are the current holders, having finally lifted the trophy after years of heartbreak.

Among the countless feats witnessed in the Champions League, the hat-trick remains one of the most iconic individual achievements. Here, we take a look at the top five players with the most hat-tricks in Champions League history.

1. Lionel Messi – 8 Hat-Tricks in 163 Games

Often hailed as the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi tops the list with eight Champions League hat-tricks, all scored during his legendary spell at FC Barcelona. In his 163 appearances, Messi led Barça to four Champions League titles, dazzling fans with his vision, dribbling, and finishing.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 8 Hat-Tricks in 183 Games

Tied with Messi but ranked second due to more appearances, Cristiano Ronaldo is the Champions League’s all-time leading scorer with 140 goals. His eight hat-tricks include seven with Real Madrid—where he won the competition four times—and one with Juventus. Ronaldo also lifted the trophy in 2007–08 with Manchester United, making him a five-time UCL winner. His consistency in the knockout stages is unmatched.

3. Robert Lewandowski – 6 Hat-Tricks in 134 Games

A modern-day goal machine, Robert Lewandowski sits third with six Champions League hat-tricks, all scored during his time at Bayern Munich. The Polish striker played a pivotal role in Bayern’s 2020 title-winning campaign and continues to score at the top level with FC Barcelona, meaning he could still climb higher on this list.

🌟 After his fourth Champions League hat-trick, Kylian Mbappé is now the outright 6th top goalscorer in the competition’s history

Will the Real Madrid star ever break Cristiano Ronaldo’s record? pic.twitter.com/RE84tJWcqR

— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) September 30, 2025

4. Kylian Mbappé – 4 Hat-Tricks in 89 Games

The youngest player on this list, Kylian Mbappé has already netted four Champions League hat-tricks in just 89 appearances. His most recent came for Real Madrid against Kairat Almaty, and it marked his first in the famous white shirt after moving from PSG. At just 26 years old, Mbappé is tipped to shatter scoring records in the coming years, both for club and country.

5. Karim Benzema – 4 Hat-Tricks in 152 Games

Rounding out the top five is 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who spent 14 seasons at Real Madrid, winning the Champions League five times. Known for his technical brilliance and leadership, Benzema scored four hat-tricks in his UCL career and remains France’s all-time top scorer in the competition with 90 goals.

Scoring a hat-trick on Europe’s biggest stage is a rare and celebrated feat, requiring a blend of skill, composure, and killer instinct. As new stars like Mbappé rise and legends like Messi and Ronaldo continue to inspire, the Champions League remains the pinnacle of club football—where history is written, and heroes are made.

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