Football terms explained: Why is it called a hat-trick?

Most football fans will understand what is meant when a player is said to have scored a hat-trick, but what are the roots of the word?

Scoring goals is the chief aim of any striker, but there is a particular satisfaction to be gained by scoring a hat-trick.

Such is the difficulty of actually putting the ball into the back of the net that the achievement of a hat-trick is uniquely lauded.

The term itself has origins in the 19th century and it is now a common feature of football's everyday lexicon.

We take a look at the what it means, when it first came into use, records and more.

What is a hat-trick?

The term 'hat-trick' is used when a player achieves the feat of scoring three goals in a single game.

Goals do not need to be scored in succession and it does not matter whether they are scored during normal regulation time or extra time.

Due to the relative rarity of the feat, it has become tradition for players who score a hat-trick of goals to be given the match ball as a symbolic reward or memento.

When a player has scored two goals in a game - which is sometimes known as 'a brace' - they are often described as being "on a hat-trick" due to the fact that another goal will complete a hat-trick.

In Italy, a hat-trick is described as a tripletta and in France it is known as a tour de chapeau. Interestingly, the English term hat-trick tends to be used in Germany and Spain.

What is a "perfect hat-trick"?

In football, a "perfect hat-trick" can be achieved by scoring one goal with the right foot, one goal with the left foot and one goal with the head.

Why is it called a hat-trick?

Nowadays, the term 'hat-trick' is widely used across a variety of sports, but it is believed to have originated in cricket.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it was first used in 1858 after English cricketer H.H. Stephenson took three wickets in three consecutive deliveries during a game between an all-England team and Hallam.

A collection was held afterwards, with money being placed into a hat before being presented to Stephenson.

There are also connotations associated with the practice of magicians conjuring unexpected items from a hat.

Which players have the most hat-tricks?

As you'd expect, players who are particularly adept at goalscoring are the ones who have scored the most hat-tricks.

Former Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers striker Alan Shearer holds the record for most hat-tricks in the Premier League with 11, while Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and ex-Liverpool star Robbie Fowler each scored nine. Harry Kane already has eight to his name, putting him level with Thierry Henry and Michael Owen.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored the most hat-tricks in La Liga, tallying 34 during his time with Real Madrid, but Lionel Messi has the most in Champions League history, with eight to his name - one more than the Portuguese.

Four players are tied for the accolade of the most World Cup hat-tricks, with Gerd Muller, Sandor Kocsis, Just Fontaine and Gabriel Batistuta each hitting two trebles on football's grandest stage.

Fastest hat-tricks

Getting three goals in any game is tough, but some players have managed to do it within remarkably short time-frames.

Sadio Mane boasts the record for the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history, scoring three times for Southampton in the space of 2 minutes and 35 seconds against Aston Villa on May 16, 2015. Mane usurped the previous record of four minutes and 33 seconds, which was set by Fowler for Liverpool against Arsenal in 1994.

Despite scoring the most hat-tricks in La Liga, Ronaldo hasn't managed to squeeze them into a short period. The record in Spain's top division belongs to Luis Perez, who scored three goals in three minutes for Real Sociedad against Logrones in the 1994-95 season.