Dembélé Joins a Historic Club of Ballon d'Or Winners With a World Cup Hat Trick

The reigning Ballon d'Or once again left his mark on the FIFA World Cup. With three goals against Norway, Ousmane Dembélé became just the fourth reigning winner of football's most prestigious individual award to score a hat trick at a World Cup, joining an exclusive group that includes Eusébio, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

A Club Reserved for Legends

It is rare for the world's best player to arrive at a World Cup and deliver such a dominant performance. Throughout nearly seven decades of Ballon d'Or history, only four reigning winners have scored three or more goals in a single World Cup match.

The first was Eusébio, who produced one of the tournament's greatest comebacks at the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Portugal trailed North Korea 3-0 in the quarterfinals before the "Black Panther" took over. The legendary forward scored four goals to inspire a remarkable 5-3 victory and send the Portuguese into the semifinals. It remains one of the greatest individual performances in World Cup history.

Sixteen years later, it was Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's turn. The German star, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1981 and entered the 1982 FIFA World Cup as the reigning holder of the award, scored a hat trick against Chile in West Germany's 4-1 victory, reaffirming his status as one of the world's elite forwards before leading his nation to the final.

The third came at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, when Cristiano Ronaldo delivered one of the tournament's most unforgettable performances against Spain. The Portuguese superstar scored all three goals in a thrilling 3-3 draw, capping his hat trick with a stunning late free kick that remains one of the most iconic moments in modern World Cup history.

Dembélé Writes His Own Chapter

Now, Ousmane Dembélé has added his name to that historic list. The French forward needed just over 30 minutes to score three times against Norway, using his pace, dazzling dribbling, and clinical finishing to become the undisputed star of the match.

His performance not only propelled France to victory but also highlighted the incredible form he has shown over the past year. After capturing the Ballon d'Or, Dembélé arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying the responsibility of leading one of the tournament favorites, and he responded with a performance worthy of football's biggest stage.

The hat trick also strengthens his bid to finish among the tournament's top scorers while confirming that he is enjoying the finest stretch of his career. His movement, ability to break defensive lines, and composure in front of goal have made him the focal point of a France side with genuine ambitions of lifting another World Cup trophy.

From Eusébio's four-goal masterpiece in 1966, to the memorable displays by Rummenigge and Cristiano Ronaldo, and now Ousmane Dembélé's stunning performance against Norway, hat tricks by reigning Ballon d'Or winners at the FIFA World Cup remain one of football's rarest achievements. The Frenchman has now secured his place in that exclusive club and added another unforgettable chapter to World Cup history.