From the moment a player scores three goals in a single Eredivisie match—a hat-trick—they etch their name into the folklore of Dutch football. But only a rare few manage to do it again and again. In this article, DaoKick invites you to dive deep into the legends of the Dutch top flight: who holds the record for players with most hat tricks in Eredivisie, how they achieved it, and why this milestone still resonates today.
The significance of hat tricks in Eredivisie
A hat trick is more than just three goals—it’s a statement. In a league known for tactical discipline and defensive rigor, scoring three in one match demands clinical finishing, mental composure, and often, knowing when to strike. In the Eredivisie—famous for developing attacking talent—hat tricks carry both prestige and proof of elite quality.
Tracking multiple hat tricks over a career reveals consistency, positional intelligence, and opportunity maximized. While many stars have grabbed a single hat trick, only a handful have turned it into a recurring signature.
Top contenders: who has the highest tally?
Delving into match archives and cumulative records, we find standout players who hold the upper echelons of the players with most hat tricks in Eredivisie.
Dirk Kuyt: the benchmark
According to the compiled catalog of Eredivisie hat-tricks, Dirk Kuyt leads the pack with 34 hat tricks in the Dutch top flight. He not only accumulated numerous hat tricks, but also grabbed one in a fairy-tale moment: his final match, a hat trick that sealed Feyenoord’s 2017 title.
Kuyt’s scoring consistency, longevity, and intelligent movement made him a nightmare for defenders. He transformed himself. He’s often the default answer when the question arises: which players have most hat tricks in Eredivisie?
Other prominent names
Beyond Kuyt, several players have left their mark with repeated hat tricks—though none quite match his volume.
- Vincent Janssen appears in the list of “Eredivisie hat-tricks” multiple times
- Luuk de Jong is also a recurring figure in the hat trick log, with multiple entries across seasons.
- Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Sébastien Haller, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and others have multiple appearances in the list of hat-tricks, sometimes even scoring 4 or more in a match.
- Nicolai Jørgensen, Jens Tow, Bryan Linssen are other names that show up among the repeated hat-trick achievers.
However, none approach Kuyt’s total of 34 in cumulative listings. That dominance gives him a unique claim to the title.
Patterns behind prolific hat trickers
What factors help certain players rack up dozens of hat tricks in Eredivisie?
Longevity & sustained performance
Kuyt played many seasons in the Dutch league, giving him more chances to accumulate multiple high-scoring games. Fewer injuries and steady form are essential to reach those heights.
Leading roles & central positioning
Strikers or forwards trusted with penalty kicks, set pieces, or being focal points in attack get more opportunities to score multiples. Kuyt often had such roles, maximizing chances in each match.
Tactical systems that favor offense
Certain eras or teams emphasize attacking play, pushing defenders high and leaving space behind. Players in those systems—if they have finishing instincts—can capitalize repeatedly.
Mental resilience and killer instinct
Scoring two goals often invites more pressure or tighter marking. Finishing the hat trick demands composure, anticipation, and the confidence to shoot when others might hesitate.
Comparing Kuyt’s record to peers
| Player | Estimated Eredivisie hat tricks | Notable highlights |
| Dirk Kuyt | ~34 | Final match hat trick to win 2017 title |
| Vincent Janssen | Multiple | Hat trick + 4 goals in one game |
| Luuk de Jong | Several | Multiple entries in hat-trick lists |
| Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Haller, van Wolfswinkel, Huntelaar etc. | A handful each | Occasional hat-trick and 4+ goal performances |
These peers illustrate that consistent multi-hat trickers are rare—most players stop at one or two in a career. Kuyt remains an outlier thanks to volume, longevity, and seizing big games.
Historical context and evolution
Hat tricks were rarer in earlier eras of Eredivisie, when defensive tactics and tighter marking were more dominant. Over time, with more open play, better forward training, and evolving formations, scoring multiples became slightly more achievable—but only for elite finishers.
Players like Kuyt, who bridged older and modern eras, benefited.
Why the record still matters
When you search players with most hat tricks in Eredivisie, you’re not just asking about numbers—you’re hunting legacy. That record speaks to consistency under pressure, relevance across decades, and clutch performances.
Fans refer to that list when comparing rising stars: can a new striker reach half of Kuyt’s tally? Can someone eventually surpass him? Stories of hat tricks against rivals or title deciders live long in club folklore, making each entry more than a statistic.
Challenges in verifying the record
Because historical match data (especially older matches) can be incomplete, there’s ambiguity about whether every hat trick has been captured. Official databases help, but discrepancies remain. Thus, while Kuyt is broadly recognized as the top, that label carries a slight caveat: it’s based on the best-available compiled records.
Rising stars to watch
Though the highest number seems distant, contemporary players may still climb the ladder.
- Sem Steijn of Twente, for instance, scored his first and second Eredivisie hat tricks within the same season—and he’s only at the start of his journey.
- Ricardo Pepi also grabbed a hat trick in the 2024-25 season for PSV, adding to his reputation in the Eredivisie.
If these talents continue over seasons, they may enter the club of repeat hat-trick scorers—and inch closer to Kuyt’s dominance.
Final Thoughts
Players with most hat tricks in Eredivisie—that phrase leads most fans straight to one name: Dirk Kuyt. With an extraordinary ~34 hat tricks, he stands head and shoulders above peers. Others like Janssen, de Jong, or Huntelaar feature among recurring scorers, but none match his volume or legacy.
For you—the die-hard fan—this record is more than trivia. It marks the intersection of endurance, match mastery, and goal-scoring identity. Want to compare Kuyt’s hat trick breakdowns by season? Or seesee how this record compares to top hat-trick scorers in Bundesliga, La Liga, or Premier League? DaoKick is ready to dig deeper—just say the word.
