Scoring goals is the pinnacle for any striker in football, but netting a hat trick brings an unparalleled level of satisfaction. The difficulty of finding the back of the net makes a hat trick a truly celebrated achievement in the sport. This term, deeply embedded in football vocabulary, dates back to the 19th century and is now widely recognized across various sports. But Why Is It Called A Hat Trick? Let’s delve into the fascinating origin of this term, explore its meaning, and look at some remarkable hat trick records.
Defining a Hat Trick in Sports
In the realm of sports, particularly football (soccer), a ‘hat trick’ is when a single player scores three goals in one game. These goals don’t need to be consecutive, and they count whether scored during regular time or extra time. The rarity of a hat trick has elevated it to a special occasion, often marked by the tradition of awarding the match ball to the player as a symbolic keepsake. When a player scores two goals in a match, often referred to as ‘a brace,’ they are frequently described as being “on a hat trick,” building anticipation for the potential third goal. Interestingly, while the term ‘hat trick’ is globally understood, some languages have their own equivalents. In Italian, it’s known as tripletta, and in French, you might hear coup du chapeau or triplé. However, the English term ‘hat trick’ is commonly used even in football discussions in Germany and Spain, highlighting its widespread recognition.
What is a Perfect Hat Trick?
Within football, there’s even a more nuanced achievement called a “perfect hat trick.” This occurs when a player scores three goals in a single match using each foot and their head – one goal with the right foot, one with the left, and one headed goal. A perfect hat trick is a testament to a player’s all-around scoring ability and is considered a particularly impressive feat.
The Historical Roots of “Hat Trick”: Cricket and a Gift of a Hat
The term ‘hat trick,’ now commonplace in numerous sports, is believed to have originated not in football, but in cricket. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of ‘hat trick’ dates back to 1858. This was in reference to English cricketer H.H. Stephenson, who accomplished the remarkable feat of taking three wickets with three consecutive deliveries during a match between an all-England team and Hallam. To commemorate this exceptional performance, a collection was taken, and the money gathered was used to buy Stephenson a hat as a reward. Thus, taking three wickets in a row became known as a ‘hat trick’ because it was worthy of being gifted a hat.
Beyond this specific origin, there’s also a broader cultural association that might have contributed to the term’s adoption and longevity. Magicians have long been associated with pulling unexpected items, sometimes even rabbits, out of hats. This connotation of surprise and skillful conjuring could have further cemented the link between a ‘hat trick’ and an impressive, almost magical, sporting achievement. The idea of something extraordinary ‘pulled out of a hat’ aligns nicely with the exceptional nature of scoring three goals in a game or taking three wickets in a row.
Iconic Hat Trick Performances and Record Holders
Unsurprisingly, the players who consistently find the back of the net are also the ones who amass the most hat tricks throughout their careers. In the fiercely competitive English Premier League, Alan Shearer, a former striker for Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers, holds the record for the most hat tricks with an impressive 11. Following closely are Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero and former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler, each with nine Premier League hat tricks. Harry Kane is rapidly climbing the ranks, already boasting eight, putting him level with Premier League icons Thierry Henry and Michael Owen.
Moving to Spain’s La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo leads the charts with a staggering 34 hat tricks during his illustrious tenure with Real Madrid. However, his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, surpasses him in Champions League hat tricks, with eight to Ronaldo’s seven, highlighting their enduring battle for supremacy.
Serie A in Italy tells a different story. The all-time hat trick records date back to the 1940s and 1950s, perhaps reflecting the historically defensive nature of Italian football, particularly since the rise of Catenaccio. Swedish legend Gunnar Nordahl, who starred for AC Milan and Roma, holds the Serie A record with an incredible 17 hat tricks.
On the grandest stage of all, the FIFA World Cup, four legendary players share the record for most hat tricks, each having scored two trebles: Gerd Muller, Sandor Kocsis, Just Fontaine, and Gabriel Batistuta.
The Blink of an Eye: Fastest Hat Tricks in Football History
While any hat trick is a noteworthy achievement, some players have managed to score them in unbelievably short bursts of time. Sadio Mane holds the record for the fastest Premier League hat trick, scoring three goals for Southampton in a mere 2 minutes and 35 seconds against Aston Villa on May 16, 2015. This remarkable feat shattered the previous record of 4 minutes and 33 seconds, set by Robbie Fowler for Liverpool against Arsenal in 1994.
Despite his prolific hat trick record in La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t achieved such rapid trebles. The fastest hat trick in Spain’s top division belongs to Luis Perez, who scored three goals in just three minutes for Real Sociedad against Logrones in the 1994-95 season.
In Serie A, the record for the fastest hat trick is jointly held by two iconic players: Valentino Mazzola, a Torino legend, and Antonio Angelillo, a former Inter Milan forward. Both managed to score hat tricks in a breathtaking two minutes. Mazzola achieved this against Vicenza in 1947, while Angelillo matched it over a decade later against SPAL in 1958.
In conclusion, the term ‘hat trick’ beautifully encapsulates an extraordinary sporting achievement, its origins rooted in a gesture of appreciation for a remarkable cricket performance. From its humble beginnings to its global recognition across numerous sports, the ‘hat trick’ continues to celebrate moments of brilliance and goal-scoring prowess, forever linked to the symbolic reward of a hat and the magic of unexpected excellence.
