A Soccer Player From Vitebsk Is Called Chagall's Doppelganger

• 4.09.2026, 18:33

Interestingly, the resemblance wasn't limited to facial features.

Ivan Novichkov , goalkeeper for the Vitebsk soccer club , unexpectedly became the focus of attention—and not just from soccer fans. During a photo shoot for the team’s new uniforms, locals noticed his striking resemblance to the world-famous artist from Vitebsk Marc Chagall, according to the publication "Vitbichi".

After photos of the soccer player appeared on social media, commenters began comparing him to the artist. Some even joked that Novichkov might be a distant relative of Chagall or that the “soul” of the famous fellow townsman had “moved into” him.

Interestingly, the resemblance extends beyond facial features. Ivan Novichkov is the same height as the young Marc Chagall was, according to the recollections of his contemporaries.

To test just how strong the resemblance is, the soccer player was invited to the Vitebsk Art Museum, where Chagall’s famous painting “Above the City” is currently on display. Visitors’ reactions were quite vivid: many couldn’t believe their eyes, and some suggested making Novichkov a living symbol of Vitebsk and even casting him as Chagall in a movie.

Despite the physical resemblance, however, no family connection between the soccer player and the artist has been confirmed. Ivan explained that he comes from a very ordinary family. He started playing soccer thanks to his father: at first he played as a forward, but after he grew much taller, he switched to the goalkeeper position.

At first, the soccer player didn’t believe he resembled Chagall, but over time he began to hear this more and more often from those around him. After visiting the museum, he admitted that he had previously had little interest in painting, but now wants to learn more about the work of his famous fellow countryman. Ivan rated his resemblance to the artist at 7 out of 10.