Ali Ashfaq has emerged in third place, below one of the two most prominent footballer names, Ronaldo and Messi, in a list which ranked footballers with the most hat-tricks since 2000. This is a translation of a report by Mohamed Hamdhoon of Mihaaru.
Following the recent uproar that threw Maldives' football industry in shambles, all that is articulated about the sport has been negative. Footballers and supporters themselves were scouring for a glimpse of hope as the governing football body descended into unknown waters and tournaments were indefinitely halted. However, locals had last night shared and reposted a joyous news related to the nation's most beloved sport on social media.
English sports media, GiveMeSport (GMS) released a list of professional footballers who scored the most hat tricks since 2000. In third place, below two most prominent footballer names was accomplished local football star, Ali Ashfaq who was nicknamed 'Dhangadey' or 'Man of Steel' due to his ferocious skills and determination.
The two players above the local star in the list released to commend Erling Haaland, Norway's forward on his hat trick during the English Premier League match on Saturday where Manchester City F.C won against Ipswich Town F.C, 4-1 was Cristiano Ronaldo with 66 hat tricks and Lionel Messi with 57.
Following closely behind Ashfaq was Barcelona's Polish forward, Robert Lewandowski who secured 31 hat tricks. In fifth place with 30 hat tricks was LA Galaxy's Uruguayan forward, Luis Suárez.
The listing published by GMS recorded three sole Asian players, including Ashfaq among the ranking which listed 21 footballers. This includes Singapore's Aleksandar Duric in 11th place with 22 hat tricks. A Yugoslav national, Durik had represented Singapore over a global scale and also clashed with Maldivian teams during the AFC Cup. The remaining Asian player ranked in the listing was Firas Al-Khatib, a Syrian national who tallied 20 hat tricks and secured 16th place in the ranking.
French footballer, Kylian Mbappe, who is among the most prolific forwards in the current global football scene and plays for Real Madrid had ranked 18th in the listing with 19 hat tricks.
Although not officially retired, Ashfaq, who is on hiatus due to injuries had tallied 35 hat tricks altogether during his career, including four he scored for the national team.
Among his most exceptional hat tricks is the triple goal he scored for Maldives during the World Cup Qualifiers 2003 where Maldives triumphed over Mongolia at a wide margin of 12-0. With this game, Ashfaq marked his debut as the player who scored most goals for the national team in one match and also simultaneously claimed the honor of becoming the youngest ever player to shoot a goal for the national team.
Another memorable performance by Ashfaq remains the hat trick he made during the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers 2012 where Maldives won against Cambodia 4-0. More notable hat tricks by the accomplished footballer includes two he made at the 2013 SAFF Championships during the matches where Maldives defeated Sri Lanka 10-0 and Bhutan again at 8-2.
Throughout his career that began in 2001 at the young age of 15, Ashfaq had scored hat tricks for all the club he represented. This includes Club Valencia, New Radiant SC and VB Addu AFC. His hat trick at the AFC Cup 2008 during the game where New Radiant clinched over Indian football club, Aizawl FC remains his most exceptional triple goal score to date at club level.
Ashfaq, who scored 409 goals during the 456 matches of his club career and 58 during 98 matches representing the nation had claimed the Golden Shoe - which is presented to the leading goal scorer - seven times and also clinched the award for best player five times.
He also triumphed the Maldives POMIS Cup alongside the 2014 Malaysia Premiere League held with Malaysia's PDRM Football Club and boasts the commendable feat of remaining the only local player to secure a cup while representing a foreign team.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo: 66 hat tricks
2. Lionel Messi: 57 hat tricks
3. Ali Ashfaq: 35 hat tricks
4. Robert Lewandowski: 31 hat tricks
5. Luis Suárez: 30 hat tricks
9. Erling Haaland: 23 hat tricks
10. Harry Kane: 22 hat tricks
14. Neymar: 21 hat tricks
17. Zlatan Ibrahimović: 20 hat tricks
18. Kylian Mbappé : 19 hat tricks
21. Sergio Agüero: 18 hat tricks
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