Two former Cymru Premier stars have secured their places among the most prolific hat-trick scorers in world football since the turn of the millennium, finding themselves ranked alongside some of the biggest names the game has ever seen.
Marc Lloyd-Williams and Greg Draper are both included in a remarkable list of 21 players who have scored three or more goals in a single match more frequently than almost anyone else in the 21st century.
And while the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski feature prominently, it is the presence of two players who made their names in Welsh football which will catch the attention of Cymru Premier supporters.
According to statistics from Transfermarkt, Lloyd-Williams has scored an incredible 24 hat-tricks since 2000, placing him 11th in the rankings. Draper is not far behind, with 20 hat-tricks to his name, putting him in 16th place.
Marc Lloyd-Williams ranks above Brazil superstar Neymar
Perhaps the most eye-catching Welsh inclusion is Lloyd-Williams, whose tally of 24 hat-tricks puts him 11th in the overall standings.
The former Cymru Premier striker finds himself ahead of Brazil superstar Neymar, who has registered 22 hat-tricks during the same period.
It is remarkable company for a player whose exploits in Welsh football made him one of the most recognisable goalscorers in the domestic game.
Lloyd-Williams’ position is particularly impressive when considering the calibre of players surrounding him in the rankings, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Luis Suarez also featuring.
His achievement is another reminder of the extraordinary goalscoring records produced in the Welsh domestic game, with his name firmly established among some of football’s most prolific finishers of the modern era.
Greg Draper has more hat-tricks than Aguero and Huntelaar
Draper is another Cymru Premier name making an impression on the list, ranking 16th with 20 hat-tricks since 2000.
The striker enjoyed a prolific spell in Welsh football, scoring 163 league goals in 252 Cymru Premier appearances.
His hat-trick record puts him level with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Firas Al-Khatib, while he sits ahead of former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, Germany international Mario Gomez and Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who have each recorded 18 hat-tricks.
That is some company for a player who made such a significant impact on the domestic Welsh scene.
Draper’s inclusion highlights just how prolific he was in front of goal, with his remarkable consistency allowing him to compete statistically with players who enjoyed careers at some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominate the rankings
While the Welsh representation is a major talking point, the very top of the list is occupied by two players who have dominated world football for more than two decades.
Cristiano Ronaldo leads the way with a staggering 67 hat-tricks since 2000, five more than long-time rival Lionel Messi, who sits second with 62.
There is then a considerable drop to the next group of players, with Robert Lewandowski and Ali Ashfaq both recording 35 hat-tricks.
Harry Kane and Luis Suarez are next on 31 apiece, while Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has already reached 28.
Kylian Mbappe is also among the leading names, with 25 hat-tricks to his credit.
However, for Welsh football supporters, the standout figures remain Lloyd-Williams and Draper, whose achievements have earned them a place in an elite group of goalscorers.
The 21 players with the most hat-tricks since 2000
All statistics are per Transfermarkt and are correct as of October 29, 2026.
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 67
- Lionel Messi – 62
- Robert Lewandowski – 35
- Ali Ashfaq – 35
- Luis Suarez – 31
- Harry Kane – 31
- Erling Haaland – 28
- Ali Mabkhout – 27
- Vyacheslav Zahovaiko – 26
- Kylian Mbappe – 25
- Marc Lloyd-Williams – 24
- Abderrazak Hamdallah – 23
- Neymar – 22
- Aleksandar Duric – 22
- Sebastian Tagliabue – 21
- Greg Draper – 20
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 20
- Firas Al-Khatib – 20
- Sergio Aguero – 18
- Klaas-Jan Huntelaar – 18
- Mario Gomez – 18
For all the achievements of football’s biggest global superstars, the presence of two former Cymru Premier forwards in such distinguished company is something Welsh football can take considerable pride in.
