Messi Equals Ronaldo's Record: Both Legends Now Have 10 International Hat-Tricks

 Messi equals Ronaldo’s record with 10 international hat-tricks after a 6-0 victory over Bolivia. A breakdown of their hat-trick milestones in football.

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Argentine master Lionel Messi has inked his name in football history once again by equalling the impressive feat of Portugal's ace Cristiano Ronaldo after netting three to guide Argentina to a 6-0 thumping of Bolivia in their latest World Cup Qualifier and achieving that incredible feat which levels the two sporting maestros on the books.

We step into the hat-trick feats and the countries that these superstars 'netted' against in this post. Two legendary players who have chiseled out modern football into its current representative legends now share the same roof, being that both Messi and Ronaldo have bagged 10 international hat-tricks.

Messi’s Record-Breaking Hat-Tricks

Lionel Messi: The number of international hat-tricks he has made thus far reaches a total of 10. His sheer individual brilliance helped Argentina win different matches. Here is the quick rundown of the countries against which Messi hit his international hat-tricks :

Colombia (2009) – Argentina dominated in this World Cup qualifier, with Messi leading the charge.

Brazil (2010) – Messi proved his skill by scoring three past the five-time World Cup champions.

Ecuador (2011) – A stunning performance by Messi sealed a memorable victory for Argentina.

Slovenia (2012) – Another incredible display of Messi’s versatility and precision.

Greece (2014) – Messi’s hat-trick helped his team cruise to an easy victory.

Bolivia (2015) – Bolivia faced the brunt of Messi’s attacking prowess.

Panama (2016) – A hat-trick that further showcased Messi’s consistency in front of goal.

Venezuela (2016) – Messi’s hat-trick made headlines, with Argentina’s fans hailing their hero.

Nigeria (2017) – Messi was the difference-maker yet again, scoring a vital hat-trick for his country.

Bolivia (2024) – Messi’s latest hat-trick, which helped Argentina secure a massive 6-0 victory, bringing him level with Ronaldo's record.  

Ronaldo’s Journey to 10 Hat-Tricks

Cristiano Ronaldo’s international hat-tricks have been equally breathtaking. Known for his powerful shots, lightning speed, and remarkable consistency, Ronaldo has delivered outstanding performances for Portugal throughout his career. Here’s a look at the countries against which Ronaldo has netted his 10 hat-tricks:

1. Northern Ireland (2013) – Ronaldo’s prowess was on full display as he led Portugal to victory.
2. Kazakhstan (2013) – A memorable hat-trick that further solidified Ronaldo’s place as one of football’s greatest.
3. Sweden (2013) – In a crucial World Cup qualifying game, Ronaldo took control with an incredible hat-trick.
4. Zambia (2014) – Ronaldo’s all-around dominance was showcased against Zambia.
5. Czech Republic (2015) – A match where Ronaldo's brilliance was too much for the Czech defense to handle.
6. Hungary (2016) – Ronaldo showed his flair for the dramatic in this high-stakes encounter.
7. Andorra (2016) – A relatively straightforward victory, with Ronaldo delivering yet another hat-trick.
8. New Zealand (2017) – A standout performance that continued his string of impressive showings.
9. Spain (2018) – One of Ronaldo’s most iconic hat-tricks, this match was a true display of his abilities.
10. Switzerland (2019) – A masterclass performance by Ronaldo, completing his record 10th hat-trick for Portugal.
    

Messi's latest hat-trick against Bolivia is a moment to hold eternally in the memories-the moment he equaled his longtime rival Ronaldo. The two have managed to create moments fans can never forget and make every football fan sit in awe of what they do on the pitch. The eternal question that fans are left to ponder over what these two great legends yet hold for the football world is how long they can stretch the boundaries of greatness in football.