Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick Era Closes, Messi Hits 60th Career Triple

Messi scores 60th career hat-trick in 2025, while Ronaldo’s annual streak comes to a close.

And just like that, the curtain falls on one of football’s most jaw-dropping streaks. Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable run—16 straight years of notching at least one hat-trick per season—came to a close in 2025. From his days dazzling at Al-Nassr to lighting up stadiums across Europe, Ronaldo’s consistency was the stuff of legend. Year after year, he was the man you’d bet your last coin on to find the back of the net three times in a match. Talk about setting the bar sky-high.

With Ronaldo’s streak now in the rearview mirror, all eyes swivel to Lionel Messi, who seems determined to keep the torch burning. Since 2009, Messi has made a habit of scoring at least one hat-trick every single year—no small feat in the world’s toughest leagues. Fast forward to October 2025, and Messi reportedly chalked up his 60th career hat-trick, bagging three goals for Inter Miami against Nashville. Sixty hat-tricks! That milestone lands at a moment when Messi is also reflecting on legacy and the possibility of a final emotional goodbye at Camp Nou.

Of course, Ronaldo’s legacy is as solid as a rock. His Real Madrid years alone were a highlight reel, and his time at other top clubs was sprinkled with unforgettable moments. Some say he might still be the last player to have scored a Serie A hat-trick for Juventus—a tidbit that sparks debates among fans and analysts alike, even if it’s not set in stone. Meanwhile, Messi’s post-Barcelona chapter continues to unfold on the global stage, highlighted by performances that have shaped expectations ahead of the MLS Cup final with Inter Miami favored by experts.

As Ronaldo’s streak bows out and Messi’s keeps rolling, their rivalry continues to be the heartbeat of modern football. One chapter closes, another gets juicier. Fans and pundits everywhere are on the edge of their seats, popcorn in hand, waiting to see what these two legends will pull out of their hats next—especially as Barcelona’s off-field reality adds context to the era Messi helped define, with Barcelona’s debt soaring amid leadership and stadium uncertainty.