- Alex Ovechkin shot down the viral comparisons between himself and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland
- The Capitals captain said he is “not a big fan of Haaland or Norway” on Russia’s Match TV
- Read below for what Ovechkin said about Lionel Messi and the World Cup
Alex Ovechkin isn’t buying the Erling Haaland comparisons.
Fans spent the 2026 World Cup pointing out how much Norway’s goal-scoring machine looks like the Capitals captain on the ice. Ovechkin heard it, and he wasn’t flattered. Asked about the big Norwegian on Russia’s Match TV show “All on Match!” this week, per RMNB, Ovechkin didn’t dress it up.
“The Norwegian? Well… I’m not a big fan of Haaland or Norway,” Ovechkin said, per a translation of the interview.
Here’s the side-by-side that lit up hockey timelines:
It’s easy to see why the comparison caught on. Haaland’s one-touch finish against Brazil looked a lot like Ovechkin’s quick-strike goals from his office in the left circle. Both built their whole game on size, strength, and a shot that beats goalies clean.
Ovechkin also made clear he won’t be borrowing the Viking Row, the rowing celebration Haaland leads for Norway. Watch the Norwegians break it out at the World Cup:
When host Dmitry Guberniev pressed on why he’s cool on Haaland, Ovechkin kept his answer blunt.
“Haaland touched the ball twice, scored twice, and that was it,” he said. “They advanced to the next round.”
The player who actually impressed Ovechkin was Lionel Messi. The Capitals star called the 39-year-old Argentine “a football genius” and said he’ll be rooting for him the rest of the tournament. The two crossed paths once, back in 2015, and Ovechkin has been a Messi guy ever since.
Ovechkin knows a thing or two about scoring into his 40s himself. He’s back for a 22nd NHL season and still stacking goals nobody thought were possible. He just won’t be trading his left-circle blast for a Viking Row anytime soon.
