Maxi Rodriguez in Spectacular Nutmeg Hat-Trick on Same Player

The adage goes “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” That would appear to have gotten somewhat lost in translation for Maxi Rodriguez who succeeded not once, not twice, but three times in nutmegging the same opponent in a league match in Brazil.

Playing for his side Gremio in the Brazilian Serie A, Rodriguez picked up the ball just inside the opposition half.

He looked in trouble as he was faced with two Nautico opponents. Rodriguez checked back to create himself some space before turning and facing his soon-to-be-embarrassed opponent, Jean Rolt.

Nutmeg One came when Rodriguez dribbled towards the touchline only to flick the ball inside and through the legs of Rolt before driving infield.

Almost immediately, Nutmeg Two arrived as Rodriguez checked back and made a beeline for the touchline.

The Nautico defender was nothing if not persistent, as he waved one of his teammates away so he could face up to Rodriguez for a third time. Not the wisest move, as things turned out.

The nutmeg hat-trick arrived when Rodriguez cheekily flicked the ball through Rolt's legs and headed twoards the penalty area.

There was no chance of a fourth nutmeg as Rodriguez was upended by a clearly frustrated and bewildered Rolt.

Rolt retreated back into his own penalty area after the foul, but that did not save him from picking up a yellow card.

And to add insult to injury, Nautico were beaten by Gremio—with goals from Hernan Barcos and Paulinho securing a 2-0 win for the visitors.

(Hat Tip to 101 Great Goals for this spot)