Jadon Sancho admits career-first hat-trick for Borussia Dortmund is ‘bittersweet’

The England international paid tribute to George Floyd in the 6-1 thrashing of Paderborn

Jadon Sancho labelled his first career hat-trick in Borussia Dortmund’s 6-1 thrashing of Paderborn as “bittersweet” after the England forward paid tribute to George Floyd while celebrating his first goal.

The 19-year-old continued what has been a historic season personally by setting a new record for combined goals and assists in black and yellow.

His hat-trick against the Bundesliga strugglers lifts him to 17 goals in just 27 league matches, complimenting his 16 assists this term: an unmatched combination since Opta began collecting data in the German top flight in 2004.

Despite a joyous return to the starting line-up, Sancho admitted the moment was “bittersweet” after grasping the stage to join the worldwide protests against racism following Floyd’s killing at the hands of American police with the message “Justice for George Floyd” on his t-shirt beneath his Dortmund shirt.

Sancho remarked: “Solid performance from the team!! Delighted to get my first career hat trick, a bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change.

Sancho scored his first hat-trick for Dortmund against Paderborn (Getty)

“We shouldn’t fear speaking out for what’s right, we have to come together as one and fight for justice. We are stronger together! #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd.”

Sancho’s hat-trick only emphasises his meteoric rise with the teenager now the first Englishman in 25 years to register 15 goals and 15 assists in the same season after Matt Le Tissier for Southampton in 1994-95.

While the former Manchester City starlet also became the youngest player ever to reach 30 Bundesliga goals, topping Bayer Leverkusen phenom Kai Havertz, who had recently set the standard earlier this season.

Borussia Dortmund's Achraf Hakim celebrates with Jadon Sancho (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

While his Dortmund future remains a source of speculation, Sancho appears close to regaining full fitness after returning from a calf injury since the resumption of the Bundesliga.

After initially struggling to break down the side bottom of the Bundesliga, Thorgan Hazard’s opener helped open to open the floodgates with Sancho converting from close range only minutes later to double the lead for Lucien Favre’s side.

As Dortmund ran riot, the England international added a second with a left-footed strike into the bottom right corner before racing away on the break in injury time to snatch a career landmark as Dortmund returned to winning ways following the decisive loss in the title race against Bayern Munich midweek.

Still second with five matches remaining, Dortmund trail Bayern by seven points.