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Cristiano Ronaldo Has Scored 53 Hat-Tricks In His Career

Cristiano Ronaldo Has Scored 53 Hat-Tricks In His Career

The Juventus forward scored three goals to take Portugal through to the final of the Nations League on Sunday.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Cristiano Ronaldo scored all three goals as Portugal won 3-1 in the Nations League semi final against Switzerland to bag the 53 hat-trick of his career.

Love him or loathe him there's very few players who turn up in as many clutch moments as Cristiano Ronaldo, in fact there's a good chance there isn't another footballer on the planet who does.

Generally speaking when he needs to the Juventus forward is there with a goal, or two or even on plenty of occasions three.

On Wednesday night Ronaldo was back in international action for the first time since last summer's World Cup as Portugal appeared in the first semi final of the Nations League.

The country's all time top scorer opened the scoring with a brilliant free kick in the first half. Switzerland were the better side and equalised through a controversial Ricardo Rodriguez penalty after 57 minutes.

It looked like the game would go to extra time but as is his want Ronaldo popped up with two goals in the final two minutes to secure a 3-1 win and a hat-trick.

The third goal brought up the 53rd hat-trick of his career and the seventh he's scored for the national team.

It was the third time in the past year alone that he's scored an important hat-trick in a game, and the second one for Portugal.

He scored three against Spain in the two countries opening World Cup game last summer, finished off with a brilliant free kick, and then bagged another trio of goals against Atletico Madrid in this season's Champions League, with Juve 2-0 down from the first leg.

Ronaldo's hat-trick against Atleti sent the Old Lady through. Image: PA Images
Ronaldo's hat-trick against Atleti sent the Old Lady through. Image: PA Images

Despite only scoring one hat-trick for Manchester United, though he bagged plenty of braces for the Premier League side, the former most expensive player in the world made a habit of it for Real Madrid.

He still holds the record for most La Liga hat-tricks with 34 to Lionel Messi's tally of 33.

There is no better player in a sticky situation than Ronaldo and he normally does it in style. Can he help Portugal win the final on Sunday?

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Topics: Football News, Nations League, Lionel Messi, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Juventus, Switzerland, Cristiano Ronaldo

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28