While watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, hockey fans found plenty of Alex Ovechkin in Norwegian goal-scoring star Erling Haaland.
The comparison makes sense. Both players have used their size, strength, and explosive shooting ability to overwhelm defenders and score at historic rates. Haaland’s recent knockout-round goal against Brazil, in which he needed only one touch to find the back of the net, was especially reminiscent of Ovechkin’s quick-strike scoring from his famous left-circle office on the power play.
The resemblance was striking enough to draw direct comparisons on social media.
Erling Haaland goal against Brazil compared to Alex Ovechkin power play goal
However, days later, Ovechkin made it clear that he’s not ready to do the Viking Row for the big Norwegian. He shared his take on the superstar striker during an appearance on Match TV’s “All on Match!” on Monday. Per a translation by Google Translate:
Alex Ovechkin: “I feel really sorry for (Cristiano) Ronaldo. But that’s sports; that’s life.”
Match TV host Dmitry Guberniev: “And the Norwegian?”
Alex Ovechkin: “The Norwegian? Well… I’m not a big fan of Haaland or Norway.”
Dmitry Guberniev: “Why is that, by the way?”
Alex Ovechkin: “Well, I don’t know. I mean, look at it this way: Haaland touched the ball twice, scored twice — and that was it. They advanced to the next round.”
Ovechkin is more a fan of Lionel Messi, the Argentine generational talent who is still wowing onlookers at 39 years old, and made his appreciation known during the same interview.
Given his own experience playing at the highest level during the twilight of his career, it’s clear that Ovechkin is truly thrilled by what he has seen Messi do at another World Cup.
Per a sports.ru transcription and a translation by Google Translate:
Dmitry Guberniev: Who impressed at the World Cup?
Alex Ovechkin: Messi, of course. No doubt about it. He’s a football genius, a joy to watch.
Dmitry Guberniev: The ideal scenario for you is the Argentine championship ?
Alex Ovechkin: I’m a Messi fan, I’ll be rooting for him. But England, in my opinion, is much stronger.
Dmitry Guberniev: You know him.
Alex Ovechkin: Yes. Messi and I crossed paths once.
Dmitry Guberniev: You’re athletes of the same caliber. How do you feel when you receive such accolades?
Alex Ovechkin: Pride. It wasn’t in vain that I worked.
Messi has long been Ovechkin’s favorite soccer player. The two met in 2015 after Messi played an international friendly match in DC, and Ovechkin’s teammates gifted him with a trip to see Messi play in Barcelona when he reached 1,000 NHL games. Ovechkin was also thrilled to see Messi complete his 16-year journey to a World Cup title in 2022.
“Obviously, everybody knows he’s my favorite player,” Ovechkin said then. “To see him finally live his dream and win the World Cup, it’s pretty big for him, and I’m really happy for him.”
As a noted soccer fan, Ovechkin has been asked to weigh in on the World Cup a few times this summer. At the outset of the tournament, he put his money on Brazil or Spain and voiced some support for the US’s odds before their disastrous showing in the round of 16. Spain prevailed over France in the first semifinal matchup on Tuesday, so he’s still in with a chance to have picked the winner.
Messi’s Argentina side was in the other semifinal match on Wednesday, eliminating England with a dramatic 2-1 victory. Messi provided the assist on both of Argentina’s goals, which came after 84 minutes had already elapsed in the match.
