• March 19, 2024

The top 5 most significant hat-tricks by Cristiano Ronaldo

cristiano ronaldo

Real Madrid came out tops against an impressive Girona side that has shown that they fear no foe. They hardly sit back no matter the quality that the opposition throws in their faces, and will rather attack and try to get a share of the spoils.

Well, Cristiano Ronaldo struck on the night, and Girona felt the wrath of one of the best ever players and one of the most prolific goalscorers in the round leather game.

Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 50th career hat-trick, as well as a quadruple on the night as Real took Girona to the cleaners, in an exciting attack laden encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu. His 4 goals in the game shot him up the goalscoring chart, having scored 21 goals in his last 11 games.

Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to be facing a goal drought at the early stages of the season. He was written off as one whose career was on a decline. However, he now has a staggering 37 goals this season. He has scored 22 goals in the La Liga, just 3 behind Lionel Messi.

This article examines some of his hat-tricks, as well as their significance, based on the quality of the opposition as well as the prevailing circumstances at the time.

5. Man United 6-0 Newcastle, Premier League, January 12, 2008

This was CR7’s first career hat-trick, and he did it in a Manchester United jersey against Newcastle in the Premier League. He played a significant part in Alex Ferguson’s side that season, as they ended up winning the treble. He scored a whopping 31 goals in 34 Premier League appearances.

4. Atletico Madrid 0-3 Real Madrid, La Liga, November 19, 2016

This was the Madrid derby and Atletico had proven to be resilient under the touchline-crazy Simeone. Well, much more exciting was the fact that the PORTUGUESE JOB was started and ended by CR7, as he stunned the Vicente Calderon with a sweet hat-trick.

The hat-trick and subsequent win ensured that Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of the La Liga. They won the La Liga that season and it was his 39th career hat-trick.

READ: CR7 – I show that I am the best with my football on the pitch

3. Real Madrid 3-0 Wolfsburg, Champions League quarter-final 2nd leg, April 12, 2016

This was a decisive game which Real Madrid came into with a 2 nil loss after the first leg in Germany. It was a win that would see them eventually end up as UCL winners against city rivals Atletico at the San Siro.

He scored the opener on the night and also the second to ensure that Real equaled the goal advantage. An away goal from the German outfit would have sent chills down the spines of the faithful at the Bernabeu who had come to cheer their side on.

However, it was not to be, as Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with a 25-yard freekick in the last 13 minutes of the game to send Real Madrid through on the night.

2. Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich, Champions League quarter-final 2nd leg, April 18, 2017

A clash of two major European heavyweights and the Portuguese star stood and was counted. He provided the goods for his side when called upon to secure a much-needed victory on the night against the very formidable Bayern Munich who had taken the game into extra time.

CR7 scored twice in 5 minutes, with his third on the night culminating in 100 goals in Europe’s elite football club competition. With his contribution and the victory, the possibility of a back to back win the UCL was very much likely, and it materialized.

1. Sweden 2-3 Portugal, World Cup qualifier – European play-off 2nd leg, 19 November 2013

This was one for the national team and Ronaldo gave it his best to ensure that Portugal would participate in the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Zlatan on one side, CR7 on the other side but the latter came out victorious. He scored an impressive hat-trick against the Swedes that saw Portugal win 4:2 on aggregate.