The Man of 60 Hat-Tricks

At 38, Lionel Messi continues to defy time and statistics. Against Nashville, the Inter Miami captain recorded the 60th hat-trick of his professional career, reaching a number that only he could make seem routine. Since his debut in 2004, the Argentine has turned the art of the hat-trick into his personal signature — and every one of them tells a story.

The first came in 2007, fittingly against Real Madrid, in a thrilling 3–3 draw at the Camp Nou. He repeated the feat in 2014 at the Santiago Bernabéu, during Barcelona’s unforgettable 4–3 win. In total, Messi has scored two hat-tricks against Real Madrid, eight in the Champions League, ten with Argentina, and the rest across LaLiga, Copa del Rey, MLS, and international tournaments.

The Most Memorable Ones

In the Champions League, his victims were top-class: Arsenal, Viktoria Plzen, Leverkusen, Ajax, APOEL, Celtic, Manchester City, and PSV. Each match was a masterclass of precision and talent.

With Argentina, his most iconic nights include hat-tricks against Brazil, Switzerland, Panama, Ecuador, Estonia, Curaçao, and Bolivia, spread across different stages of his international career.

In the United States, his impact has been immediate. In just a few months, Messi already has two hat-tricks for Inter Miami — against New England and Nashville — and has been directly involved in 48 goals since January. Neither age nor distance has slowed his scoring instinct.

“I’m lucky to enjoy Leo up close,” said Javier Mascherano. “People watch him on TV — I get to see him right beside me. He’s the greatest player to ever play this sport. Today, he was fantastic.”

Messi’s Favorite Victims

Few clubs can claim immunity from a Messi hat-trick. Atlético Madrid, Valencia, and Sevilla top the list, each suffering three times at his hands. Ironically, the only team that never saw him take a match ball home was PSG — the club where he shared the locker room but not the magic.

From that first treble to today, Messi has left his mark on every competition imaginable. Sixty times three… and counting.

What’s Next in MLS

With the playoffs approaching, Messi is preparing for his next challenge: leading Inter Miami toward their first-ever title. He’ll face Nashville again in the opening round, with potential heavyweight clashes against Cincinnati, Columbus, New York City, or Orlando — Beckham’s classic rivalry.

At this point, only one thing is certain: if there’s a goal to be scored, Messi will find the net — and make history once again.