Federico Valverde stole the show with a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Manchester City in the Champions League this week.
Valverde’s treble was the first hat-trick of his career and the 11th time a footballer has scored a hat-trick in the Champions League against a Premier League team.
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Manchester City have scored more hat-tricks in the Champions League than any other English side and Valverde was only the fifth player to take the match ball against Citizen.
We look back at the best hat-tricks against Premier League teams in the Champions League.
Ronaldo vs Manchester United – 2002/03
Ronaldo scored one of the most memorable hat-tricks in Champions League history with his iconic performance as Real Madrid eliminated Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the 2002/03 season.
Ronaldo arrived from Inter Milan last summer, fresh from inspiring Brazil to that summer’s World Cup success.
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The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was unstoppable in the second leg at Old Trafford, scoring three goals to send Espanyol into the next round.
O Fenômeno got his first of the night off Rio Ferdinand’s defense before turning in Roberto Carlos’ cross for a simple second goal.
He saved the match ball with a late shot from long range to win the match ball in a gripping match that saw United narrowly win 4-3, but were ultimately impressed by the Brazilian’s brilliance.
Tuncay Sanli vs Manchester United – 2004/05
One from the archives.
Tuncay Sanli was the architect of Fenerbahce’s famous victory as second-tier United were beaten in Istanbul with promotion already assured.
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The striker volleyed deftly under the crossbar before receiving a cross and heading home his second time. He coolly slotted past Tim Howard to score a hat-trick as the home side won 3-0.
Tuncaj went on to play for Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Lionel Messi vs Arsenal – 2009/10
The first footballer to score four Champions League goals against Premier League teams.
Messi’s masterclass performance at Camp Nou put Arsenal in trouble as the Barcelona superstar took control of the game.
Arsenal opened the scoring at Barcelona and took an aggregate lead, but a brilliant performance from Messi pulled the Spaniards back into the game.
Messi turned things around with two goals after Nicklas Bendtner’s opener, completing his hat-trick with an audacious lob just before half-time. A stunning individual effort left fourth behind.
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Serge Gnabry vs Tottenham Hotspur – 2019/20
The former Arsenal winger returned to north London and troubled his old rivals in style.
Gnabry was emotional as Bayern Munich beat Tottenham 7-2 in the capital. Incredibly, the German didn’t open his account until after half-time, becoming the first player in history to score four goals in the second half of a Champions League match.
Karim Benzema vs Chelsea – 2021/22
Karim Benzema has been unstoppable for Real Madrid in the 2021-22 season.
He scored 15 goals in 12 Champions League games, helping the Spanish side once again conquer Europe.
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The victory included back-to-back hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea, who beat Stamford Bridge 3-1 in the quarter-finals.
The Ballon d’Or was a fitting recognition of his performance.
Kylian Mbappe vs Manchester City – 2024/25
When the mood is good, Kylian Mbappe is probably the most exciting footballer in the game.
Mbappe’s hat-trick against Manchester City in the 2024-25 season is undoubtedly the Frenchman’s best explosive performance.
Mbappe opened his account at the Santiago Bernabeu with a superb lob before knocking Josko Gvardiol to the ground with a deft chop. He completed his hat trick with a left-footed shot into the far corner, locking Real Madrid into the next round.
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Every player who has scored a hat-trick against a Premier League side in the Champions League
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Ronaldo – Manchester United 4-3 Real Madrid (2002/03)
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Tuncay Sanli – Fenerbahce 3-0 Manchester United (2004/05)
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Lionel Messi – Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal (2009/10)
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Lionel Messi – Barcelona 4-0 Manchester City (2016/17)
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Serge Gnabry – Tottenham Hotspur 2-7 Bayern Munich (2019/20)
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Christopher Nkunku – Manchester City 6-3 RB Leipzig (2021/22)
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Karim Benzema – Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid (2021/22)
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Victor Chockers – Sporting Lisbon 4-1 Manchester City (2024-25)
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Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City (2024-25)
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Vitinha – PSG 5-3 Tottenham Hotspur (2025-26)
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Federico Valverde – Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester City (2025-26)
