Cristiano Ronaldo’s first hat trick since joining Juventus in 2018 has set social media abuzz.

The Portuguese scored three second-half goals, on Monday, as Juventus thump Cagliari 4-0 at home in their Seria A match.

They were his first goals of the new decade and the year.

Aside from being his first hat trick for Juventus, Ronaldo also set new records with the goals:

He becomes the first player to score in one of Europe’s top five leagues in each of the last 18 years (2003-2020)

He is also the second player to score a hat trick in Serie A, La Liga and the English Premier League this century

The goals take Ronaldo‘s hat tricks to 56 for club and country.

He becomes the first Portuguese player to score a hat-trick in Serie A history.

Twitter users have been showering accolades on the Juventus star.

Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold tweeted:

Why do you people not respect Ronaldo? Why??!

— AG BABY (@adekunleGOLD) January 6, 2020

Ronaldo is unbelievably amazing. Makes me want to believe he created this sport lol.

— AG BABY (@adekunleGOLD) January 6, 2020

Just as expected, Ronaldo’s hat trick, aside from setting social media abuzz, has also reignited the sleeping “Greatest Of All Time” (GOAT) debate between his fans and fans of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

Football fans on Twitter have been throwing subliminal attacks at themselves over who deserves to be called the GOAT after Ronaldo’s performance on Monday.

My attention has been drawn to the fact that Ronaldo scored a Hat Trick today

His Hat Trick appointments now cut across 3 geo political zones – Serie A, La Liga and Premiership.

In line with the principles of federal character

— Ebube The Statesman (@akaebube) January 6, 2020

Lionel Messi yesterday :

200,000 dribbles.
500km run.
0 assist.
0 goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo today :

3 dribbles.
4km run.
1 assist.
3 goals.

I know who is more effective.
I know who is definitely greater.

He is Cristiano Ronaldo.

— UG (@UgwunnaEjikem) January 6, 2020

I wonder what football will be like without Ronaldo and Messi?

— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 6, 2020

Cristiano Ronaldo just scored his 56th hattrick to take his team top of the league.

More hat tricks than any other player dead or alive.

He is the greatest human being to ever kick a ball. pic.twitter.com/a8aLGAA1Ts

— UG (@UgwunnaEjikem) January 6, 2020

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITLES LAST DECADE:

FC Barcelona ~~~~~~ 2

Cristiano Ronaldo ~~~4

GOALS THIS DECADE:

FC Barcelona ~~~~~~2

Cristiano Ronaldo ~~~3.

Ronaldo is no longer competing with an individual, he’s dragging a whole football club and he’s winning.

Adorable GOAT! pic.twitter.com/gMhOLO6LY7

— Jack Robinson (@FeralJack_) January 6, 2020

It really doesn’t matter whether you’re a Ronaldo stan or not, sooner or later we’ll all have to come to the conclusion that CR7 scoring hat tricks at 34 years of age is unreal.

We may never witness such greatness in football again so let’s all enjoy it, both him and Messi.

— Adunni Achebe (@Adunni_Achebe) January 6, 2020

Ronaldo fans celebrate a hat-trick once every year like Argungu festival ?

— Tega? (@Teghte) January 6, 2020

Messi Fans are diligently browsing the Last Player to score a Hat trick against Cagliari so they can use it to discredit Ronaldo. Guess they havent seen any but when they do they”ll be with us Shortly ??

— King Nonny ? (@Zaddy_nomso) January 6, 2020

In less than 2 season in Juventus Ronaldo has scored against every Serie A team He has played against except Roma…
Only a true GOAT can do this? pic.twitter.com/mRvahDvFG1

— UNCLE KINGSLEY?? (@KingsleyMarchi2) January 6, 2020

Ronaldo scored 34 hattricks in 9 seasons in La Liga.

Messi who has been playing in La Liga since his childhood was still chasing his record till this season.

Embarrassing! https://t.co/VG3NLdxzv6

— Raj. (@Cristianology7z) January 6, 2020

Ronaldo is the only player to score a hatrick in EPL, La Liga, Serie A and the World Cup

We thank Messi for what he has done for La Liga

But we double thank Ronaldo for what he has done for World Football ? ? pic.twitter.com/klnNn8wXcl

— CR7 Rap Rhymes (@cr7raprhymes) January 6, 2020

Ronaldo started the new year with a hatrick and an assist. Lionel Messi started the new year with 25 dispossessions, and a disasterclass against 20th placed Espanyol. There’s levels to this game. pic.twitter.com/tAGxju3DZ3

— ⊝ (@lconicJames) January 6, 2020