Alex Ovechkin, widely regarded as the greatest goal scorer in hockey history, firmly dismisses comparisons between himself and his favorite athlete, Michael Jordan. In a recent interview with Match TV, Ovechkin was asked if he feels as popular as Jordan when walking through Washington, DC, or his hometown of Moscow, Russia, but he quickly rejected the notion, emphasizing the vast difference between them.

Respecting Jordan’s Legacy and His Mother’s Achievements

Ovechkin drew a clear line between his own accomplishments and those of Jordan, describing the comparison as “like night and day.” He also paid tribute to his mother, Tatyana Ovechkina, a celebrated basketball player herself who won two Olympic gold medals and several European championships. Through this, he highlighted the unmatched greatness of Jordan both in basketball and his family’s sporting legacy.

Of course, there is no such thing, but if you compare me with Michael Jordan, then it’s like night and day,

Ovechkin said, as translated via Google Translate.

Jordan is the greatest, the same as my mother (Tatyana Ovechkina) in basketball, a two-time Olympic champion, multiple European champion.

Ovechkin Emphasizes Humility Over Self-Promotion

When pressed about whether he has come close to Jordan’s stature, Ovechkin remained humble and declined to elevate himself. His grounded approach underlines his belief in staying authentic rather than embracing comparisons that may seem flattering but are not realistic.

Why elevate yourself? You have to stay grounded.

A Fan of Jordan and His Story

Throughout his career, Ovechkin has spoken openly about his admiration for Michael Jordan. He was especially captivated by “The Last Dance,” the Netflix docuseries chronicling Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls. In a 2020 interview with Men’s Journal, Ovechkin revealed Jordan as the one athlete he most wanted to meet, further attesting to his respect for the basketball icon.

Jordan’s Congratulatory Message on Ovechkin’s Historic Milestone

Michael Jordan himself reached out with congratulations when Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record in April. Jordan acknowledged the difficulty of the achievement and celebrated Ovechkin’s place in hockey history.

Hi, Alex, congratulations. Quite a record to break,

Jordan said.

The Story Behind Ovechkin’s “Not Michael Jordan” Hoodie

Ovechkin frequently wears a red Washington Capitals hoodie with the statement “Well I’m not Michael Jordan” on the back. This distinctive piece of apparel was given to him by former Capitals winger Devante Smith-Pelly after Ovechkin made the remark during a pregame warm-up soccer session. The sweater has since become a signature symbol of Ovechkin’s recognition that his greatness exists on a different level.

Comparing Achievements: Jordan’s Extensive Basketball Accolades

Michael Jordan’s list of accomplishments is extensive. Among his many honors, Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, earned six NBA Finals MVP awards, five regular-season MVP honors, and was an NBA Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, Jordan was an NBA Rookie of the Year, a 10-time scoring leader, 14-time All-Star, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and is enshrined twice in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He also spent two seasons with the Washington Wizards towards the end of his career.

Ovechkin’s Impressive Hockey Career Highlights

While the scope of Ovechkin’s accolades differs from Jordan’s, his career is among the most decorated in NHL history. His trophies include the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, 13 NHL All-Star selections, the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points, and nine Rocket Richard Trophies as the top goal scorer. He has also won the Hart Memorial Trophy three times as the league’s most valuable player, earned three Ted Lindsay Awards, the Mark Messier Leadership Award, a Stanley Cup championship, and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Longevity Sets Ovechkin Apart from Jordan’s Playing Career

One factor where Ovechkin currently surpasses Jordan is career length. While Jordan retired after his age-39 season, Ovechkin continues playing into his age-40 season. Jordan’s NBA career spanned 1,072 games, but Ovechkin is closing in on 1,500 NHL games, making him just nine contests away from joining an elite group of only 23 players in NHL history to reach that milestone.

Why the Comparison Matters in Sports Culture

The discussion around Alex Ovechkin Michael Jordan comparison reflects the inclination to measure greatness across different sports. Ovechkin’s measured response—recognizing Jordan’s unmatched legacy while maintaining humility—underscores the distinct challenges and contexts within hockey and basketball. Moving forward, Ovechkin’s continued career and pursuit of new records are likely to further define his unique place in sports history while respecting the towering legacy of icons like Jordan.