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Oldest Footballers to Score a Hat-Trick in FIFA World Cup History: Scoring a goal in the world of football is an art in itself, but scoring a hat-trick (three goals in a single match) on the sport's biggest stage, the FIFA World Cup, is a dream come true for any player. As players age, maintaining their game and fitness levels becomes increasingly challenging.
However, history has seen legendary players who defied age, proving it to be merely a number, by scoring World Cup hat-tricks well into their later years. Let’s take a look at the five oldest hat-trick scorers in FIFA World Cup history
5 oldest footballers to score a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup
5. Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) – 29 years, 140 days
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Gabriel Batistuta ('Batigol'), one of Argentina's greatest strikers, holds several impressive World Cup records. He showcased his power and class while playing against Jamaica in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Achieving this feat at the age of 29 years and 140 days, he recorded yet another hat-trick in World Cup history.
4. Pedro Cea (Uruguay) – 29 years, 329 days
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This record dates back to the very inception of the FIFA World Cup. In the 1930 inaugural World Cup, Uruguay's Pedro Cea delivered a historic performance against Yugoslavia in a high-stakes semi-final match. At the age of 29 years and 329 days, he scored a brilliant hat-trick and played a pivotal role in guiding his team to the final.
Also Read: Who is Vozinha Josimar Dias? Biography, Age, Career, and World Cup Records
3. Rob Rensenbrink (Netherlands) – 30 years, 335 days
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The name of legendary Dutch forward Rob Rensenbrink is also etched in this illustrious history. He dominated the pitch while playing against Iran in the 1978 World Cup. At the age of 30 years and 335 days, Rensenbrink scored three goals to secure a magnificent victory for his team, earning a spot on the list of the oldest hat-trick scorers.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 33 years, 130 days
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Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is renowned for his exceptional fitness and insatiable hunger for goals. No one can forget the match against Spain during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In that high-voltage encounter, Ronaldo scored a historic hat-trick at the age of 33 years and 130 days, leaving the entire world in awe.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 38 years
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Lionel Messi, ranked among the greatest footballers of all time, has now added another remarkable record to his name. Playing against Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi dazzled on the pitch and scored a magnificent hat-trick. With this hat-trick, achieved at the age of 38, he became the oldest player in FIFA World Cup history to score three goals in a single match. He proved that his magic remains undiminished.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup Winners List: Teams with the Most Titles
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