Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for scoring the most hat-tricks by an active footballer, with 66 hat-tricks during his trophy-laden career so far.

Ronaldo, who has the most headed goals in the 21st century among his innumerable records, registered the first hat-trick of his senior career in Manchester United’s 6-0 win against Newcastle United in 2008 while his last came in the Red Devils' 3-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League encounter during his second stint with the club.

In a Portugal shirt, Cristiano's last hat-trick came in Portugal’s 5-0 win against Luxembourg in a World Cup 2022 qualifying game. His triple strike was his 10th hat-trick for the national team and he became the first player to score 10 hat-tricks in international football.

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�?@Cristiano has now scored the most hat-tricks in international football history. pic.twitter.com/Unldt3dhuq

�?SPORF (@Sporf) October 13, 2021

Furthermore, Cristiano Ronaldo is also the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup. At 33 years and 130 days, the Portugal skipper scored thrice to help his side draw 3-3 against Spain.

Lionel Messi is second on this list with 57 hat-tricks. The Argentina captain notched his maiden hat-trick in a 2007 El Clasico fixture against Real Madrid, which ended in a 3-3 draw.

751 - Earlier today, Lionel Messi notched the 55th hat-trick of his career, and his seventh for Argentina. In doing so, he surpassed Pelé (77) as the highest scoring South American player in men's internationals (79), whilst also scoring his 750th (and 751st) career goals. Goat? pic.twitter.com/FX8CfBIbJl

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 10, 2021

Additionally, Messi is the first player to score five goals in a UEFA Champions League game with his effort coming in Barcelona’s 7-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.

Lionel Messi’s strike partner at Inter Miami Luis Suarez is next on the list for most hattricks having netted 31 trebles so far. He's followed in fourth spot by Poland forward Robert Lewandowski, who has 30 hat-tricks.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane completes the top five list for most hattricks by an active footballer in the 21st century.

Most hattricks by an active footballer

Players	Total hat-tricks
Cristiano Ronaldo	66
Lionel Messi	57
Luis Suarez	31
Robert Lewandowski	30
Harry Kane	22
Erling Haaland	21
Neymar	21
Kylian Mbappe	19

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / DANIEL LEAL 

The Premier League returns after the midweek action in UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Burnley will take on Everton at the Turf Moor Stadium to kick-off the weekend action on Saturday.

The first North London derby of the season between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will undoubtedly be the biggest clash of the weekend.

For several fantasy managers, gameweek 10 was a rather below-par affair as it produced an average tally of 44 points. 

So as we inch closer to the new round of Premier League fixtures, here are five players who could potentially get you maximum points in gameweek 11:

Timo Werner (Chelsea) vs Leeds United

Timo Werner, who came on as a substitute in Chelsea’s 4-0 victory over Sevilla in the Champions League, will look to put on his goalscoring boots when his side take on Leeds United in the Premier League. The German international has been Chelsea’s top scorer this season, netting eight goals in 13 matches in all competitions. The 24-year-old has also managed to score three goals in his last five league outings. The Blues manager Frank Lampard will hope that his decision to rest him in the midweek will pay off against a formidable Leeds side.

Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) vs West Ham

Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has been in incredible form for the Red Devils, scoring three important goals in the Premier League. The 33-year-old Uruguayan came on as a substitute in their last Premier League encounter to inspire his side to come from two goals down and clinch a thrilling 3-2 win against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium. Cavani will hope he can continue his glorious form for United when they face West Ham United on Saturday.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) vs Fulham

Kevin De Bruyne produced two assists in Manchester City’s 5-0 thrashing of Burnley in gameweek 10 and he was very unlucky to not have his name on the scoresheet. After being rested for City’s midweek clash against FC Porto in the Champions League, the Belgian will be eager to put in a good performance against Fulham in the Premier League. Interestingly, De Bruyne has four assists in the last four gameweeks.

Che Adams (Southampton) vs Brighton

In Danny Ings absence, Southampton has found a great replacement in Che Adams, who has chipped in with three goals and four assists for the Saints. The 24-year-old, who looked in good form in the first half against Manchester United, is expected to be among the points against Brighton who only have one clean sheet since gameweek 2.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) vs Wolves

Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has been in great form for the Reds, netting two goals and two assists in his last four matches in all competition. The 28-year-old had laid an assist and had a goal overturned by VAR in Liverpool’s last Premier League match against Brighton. He has struck once and has assisted one goal against Wolves in the last four encounters. The Egyptian is rightly tipped to play his part against Wolves.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Mike Hewitt

Paris Saint-Germain's all-time record scorer Edinson Cavani will leave the club ahead of the return of the Champions League, media reports claimed on Saturday.

Earlier this month it was announced Uruguay striker Cavani, 33, who has 200 goals to his name since joining PSG in 2013, will depart the Parc de Princes at the end of the campaign with his current contract up.

French broadcaster RMC Sport and Spanish newspaper Marca also claimed Belgium left-back Thomas Meunier will also quit the side on June 30.

The Parisians are through to the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition, which is set to be played to a finish in August.

They must also still play the finals this summer of the French Cup, against Saint-Etienne, and the League Cup, against Lyon.

The Ligue 1 term was declared over in April due to the pandemic with PSG named champions for a third year running.

Cavani's place in the side came under threat following the arrival of Mauro Icardi on loan from Inter Milan at the start of the season.

PSG recently made Icardi's move permanent but the financial position of the Qatar-owned club has been seriously weakened by the decision to end the domestic term early.

Captain Thiago Silva's contract will also not be renewed while defender Layvin Kurzawa and forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are set to sign short-term deals so to feature over the next months, according to RMC Sport.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Franck Fife

Football, a game that is behind the rags to riches story of so many players, is much more than just a game. To many, it is a universe where so many stars are born every year and at the same time, so many stars fall. Let's take a look at some of such stars who are just months away from becoming free agents. 

Name: Edinson Cavani

Team: Paris Saint-Germain

Market Value: 25m Euros

Free Agent on: June 30, 2020

The Uruguay international, Edinson Cavani is one of the most lethal goal-machines across leagues and is going to become a free agent in the summer. The 32-year-old has made just 13 appearances in Ligue 1 and Champions League combined, and out of which nine were from the bench. He has scored four goals, three in the league and one in the UCL.

With the signing of Mauro Icardi, it is evident that game-time is bound to dry out. Paris Saint-Germain are looking to get as much as they can for the forward who is definitely not out of touch. Atletico Madrid, one of the possible destinations, saw their 8 million euro bid declined by the club, but they still remain clear favourites to land the player. 

Player: Olivier Giroud

Team: Chelsea FC

Market value: 9m Euros

Free Agent on: June 30, 2020

Contrary to Cavani, Giroud is set to face a more uncertain future after his contract expires this summer. The 2018 World Cup winner has featured only five times under Frank Lampard and is yet to score. 

Before the closing of the winter transfer window, the likes of Iner, Lazio  and even Tottenham showed interest, but Chelsea decided not to do any business until the end of the season. Another club likely to sign the 33-year-old Frenchman are Lyon as per the recent speculations. It is to be seen which club he decides to join in the summer.

Player: Pedro 

Team: Chelsea FC

Market Value: 17m Euros

Free Agent on: June 30th, 2020

Another World Cup winner from Chelsea’s squad is on the verge of becoming a free agent in the summer. 

Pedro joined the Blues after a tug of war between Chelsea and Manchester United back in 2015. Fast forward five years and Pedro has played just six Premier League games and has failed to score a single goal. 

According to the speculation, Pedro might follow the footprints of his former team-mates to Vissel Kobe in Japan. But Roma are also considering including the versatile winger in their team. Considering Italy becoming the new destination for the Premier League players, it is highly probable that Pedro moves to Roma. But we will have to wait till the summer for the confirmation.

Player: Mario Gotze

Team: Borussia Dortmund

Market Value: 18m Euros

Free Agent on: June 30th, 2020

It has been a whirlwind of a career for Mario Gotze. Since his once in a lifetime goal for Germany in 2014 World Cup final, Gotze has moved from Dortmund to arch-rivals Bayern Munich and back to Dortmund, diagnosed with a possible career-ending physical condition. So, it was just a matter of time before he fell from grace. After scoring thrice in 12 appearances in Bundesliga, the 27-year-old German playmaker is going to become a free agent in the summer. 

Given his quality, he will not be short of suitors and recently he has hinted a reunion with Jurgen Klopp. "I often speak to Klopp. We never stopped talking."He knows me very well and that I am always looking for new challenges�? the German said. With Lallana also nearing a free transfer, a reunion cannot be ruled out.

Player: Willian

Team: Chelsea

Market Value: 18m Euros

Free Agent on: June 30, 2020

Willian has been one of the most dependable players at Stamford Bridge since his move in 2013. He has 32 goals and 36 assists to his name in the Premier League, but the fact remains that he will turn 32 in August and is less likely to be a part of Frank Lampard's plans in future. 

Willian has a decent amount of game time under his belt this season with 24 appearances. His four goals and four assists have made sure that he is still a good enough player for any team. Recently Barcelona expressed their "long-term" admiration for the two-time PL winner, and they might just get him for free in the summer.

Player: Dries Mertens

Team: Napoli

Market Value: 25m Euros

Free Agent On: June 30, 2020

The Belgian star is one of the primary reasons Napoli rose to fame in recent years. His sleek and effective movement in the final third has earned him a lot of suitors in recent times. After 7 long years with the Italian giants, Mertens is going to become a free agent this June. 

Chelsea are on the queue to sign the 32-year-old as Lampard looks to bring in experience amongst his otherwise all-youth attack. If Mertens can adjust to the English game remains a mystery that would be solved if he chooses to turn Blue this summer.

Player: Jose Callejon

Team: Napoli

Market Value: 18m Euros

Free Agent On: June 30, 2020

Another cornerstone to the rise of Napoli is the Real Madrid Castilla graduate Jose Callejon. The right-winger joined Napoli in 2013 and has been an integral part of the club since. He has started 22 games this season and has scored two goals while assisting six. 

Although no club has expressed their will to sign the midfielder as of now, it is just a matter of time when someone comes up to swoop the deal. 

Player: Blaise Matuidi

Team: Juventus

Market Value: 18m Euros

Free Agent On: June 30, 2020

If one has to name a player who has always been out of the spotlight throughout the career, Blaise Matuidi is surely going to be one of the names. The Frenchman is a World Cup winner and has spent his entire career pulling strings from deep inside the midfield. Technically gifted and physically threatening, the 32-year-old is now at Juventus and has featured in 20 games. 

Matuidi has always remained a target for many PL clubs and in 2017, Jose Mourinho expressed his will to sign Matuidi to Manchester United. Now that his contract is going to expire in summer, it is to be seen if any English club grabs the opportunity to swoop in on him.

Player: Layvin Kurzawa

Team: Paris Saint-Germain

Market Value: 15m Euros

Free Agent On: June 30, 2020

Another French on the list. Layvin Kurzawa is one of the best in his position but his future at Paris looks to be in jeopardy as Thomas Tuchel has expressed his interest in Juventus full-back Mattia De Sciglio.

Kurzawa has appeared 14 times for PSG, scoring one and assisting one. His contract expires in summer and along with Juventus, Arsenal is also interested in the 27-year-old. 

Player: Thomas Meunier

Team: Paris Saint Germain

Market Value: 30m Euros

Free Agent on: June 30, 2020

The Belgian right-back was one of the hottest properties in Europe even a couple of seasons back. He has featured in 16 games for PSG this season and has lodged an assist. He had ruled out the chances of a winter transfer saying "I have the impression when transfers are done in January that they are not thought out but rather a question of necessity."

Amidst talks linking him to England and more precisely to the Emirates and Old Trafford, he is still hopeful of contract renewal to stay in Paris. 

Player: Jan Vertonghen

Team: Tottenham Hotspur

Market Value: 18m Euros

Free Agent on: June 30, 2020

The 32-year-old Belgian international has been one of the most prominent figures for Spurs since his move from Ajax. Although Tottenham have expressed their interest in Jack O'Connell, Jan Vertonghen refuses to rule out the chances of another contract renewal. 

In the twilight of his career, the Belgian will be a free agent in the summer.

Player: Giacomo Bonaventura

Team: AC Milan

Market Value: 18m Euros

Free Agent On: June 30, 2020

AC Milan are yet to find their mojo since falling from grace in this century. The Italian giants are not even a shadow of their former self at the moment and would require a complete overhaul if they wish to become anything close to competing for glory. Giacomo Bonaventura has been one of the binding figures of the club and has featured regularly for the Rossoneri. 

Bonaventura have been having little influence on the game lately and Milan do not look very eager to give him another contract this summer. Having appeared 15 times, the 30-year-old Italian has scored twice but has not created a single goal from the midfield. His destination in summer is still a matter of uncertainty. 

Note: Market value taken from Transfermarkt

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Franck Fife

The winter transfer window is just three days away from closing and there are no big-money moves as of yet in the footballing universe. However, some rumours might materialize before the transfer window closes. Let's take a look at five of them which are most likely to take place.

5) Danny Rose:

The 29-year-old England international is linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and as the things stand, it will be for the best for both the club and the player. 

Recently, Rose has stated publicly that he would be happy to see off his contract warming the bench, but Daniel Levy would prefer cashing on the out-of-favour left-back. 

Among the suitors, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Watford are willing to take Rose on loan. But club officials have expressed their wish to sell the English international.

If Rose wants to regain his place for the Three-Lions, he needs to add game time under his belt, while, after his recent fall-out with Manager Jose Mourinho, his chances of getting to play for his club look really bleak. 

Read | Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Football’s most successful journeyman

4) Pablo Mari

The Brazilian defender has returned back to Brazil following his medical at Arsenal and sources confirm that the speculation of a move is off the table. 

Alternatively, the Gunners are yet to give up on their hopes to fill the leaks in their defence. However, the word is that Arsenal is preparing a loan deal for the 26-year-old Spanish defender with an added buying option. 

It is yet to be seen if Mikel Arteta bends on seeing Mari in Arsenal colours to replenish the defence. 

3) Olivier Giroud

Since his move to Stamford Bridge, Olivier Giroud has been mostly been seen on the bench. The 33-year-old has fallen from grace in Frank Lampard's eye and has featured only 7 times in the entire season. 

While there were talks of him joining Inter in the winter, the talks have dimmed considerably. Inter have since expressed their interest in Napoli's veteran striker Fernando Llorente. Experts are seeing this as a teasing measure to make Chelsea agents become more flexible about the terms. 

Didier Deschamp's comment throws Giroud's position in great limbo as he has clearly said that to retain his place in the upcoming Euro 20, Giroud must have minutes to show for. 

In short, Giroud will have to get away from London but where he might he go? "The answer my friend is blowing in the wind".

Read | Why Ighalo and Slimani underlines gloomy times at Manchester United

2) Edinson Cavani

The Uruguayan has made it clear to Thomas Tuchel that he wants to move in the winter itself and with strong talks going on with Atletico Madrid, it is guaranteed that the striker's days in Paris are numbered. PSG have priced Cavani at 24 million and have already declined an 8.5 million bid by Atletico Madrid. 

However, with only 6 months remaining in the contract, PSG would be wise enough to leave him for something around 12 million, otherwise, they would lose a good option to cash in on the 32-year-old frontman. 

1) Bruno Fernandes

The talk of the town for the entire transfer window has been Bruno Fernandes' move to Manchester United, but even after a lot of back and forth movement, nothing has materialised yet. 

While Ole would love to have some quality in the midfield, Sporting Lisbon is bent on the price of the player. The 25-year-old, however, is reported to be feeling the brunt of the continuous tug of war between the two clubs and is growing weary of the transfer. Manchester United does not appear to be in the luxurious spot as Bruno's quality is exactly what the team needs right now to bring their campaign to a track. 

Feature image courtesy:  AFP / Filipe Amorim