Trump praises Messi’s hat-trick, calls feat very rare – but is it ?

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Former President Donald Trump heaped praise on Lionel Messi during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower on Friday, but his comments on the Argentine superstar’s hat-trick achievement raised a few eyebrows among soccer statisticians.

“Messi, oh Messi. How good is Messi? He scored a hat-trick,” Trump declared, turning to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “I think a hat-trick is a very rare thing in your sport, isn’t it?”

The remark came just two days before Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain, and referred to Messi’s three-goal performance against Algeria in the group stage – his first ever World Cup hat-trick at age 39.

While a World Cup hat-trick is indeed uncommon (only 52 have been recorded in tournament history), Messi himself has scored 57 career hat-tricks for club and country – a tally surpassed only by Cristiano Ronaldo (65) and a handful of all-time greats. In top-flight football, hat-tricks are hardly a rarity; they occur roughly once every 15 to 20 matches.

Trump, however, doubled down on his admiration. “I saw that pass he made against England – incredible. He was surrounded, then suddenly he’s on the right foot, shot just four inches wide. That’s genius,” he said, adding that he also respects Ronaldo and Harry Kane.

Infantino smiled through the exchange and confirmed that Trump will join him on the podium to present the trophy to Sunday’s winner.

Messi enters the final with 8 goals and 4 assists this tournament. Whether Trump’s definition of “rare” applies or not, one thing is certain: the world will be watching to see if Messi can add one more memorable performance to his legendary career.