Former Russia national team midfielder Evgeny Aldonin has returned to physical activity and is playing padel following medical treatment for cancer in Germany, according to Dmitry Bulykin.
Speaking to state news agency TASS, Bulykin said that Aldonin continues to battle the severe oncological disease but remains active and maintains a positive outlook as he works toward recovery.
Bulykin revealed that he and Aldonin played padel together this month. He added that even while playing at a light pace, the pair managed to defeat ice hockey stars Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk in a match.
Padel matches and medical treatment
Aldonin returned to Moscow in July 2026 after receiving treatment in Germany. Doctors first diagnosed the former footballer with an oncological condition in November 2025.
Bulykin noted that the illness was severe, but everyone, including Aldonin himself, was hoping for positive results. He expressed hope that Aldonin would manage to cope with the disease, make a complete return to football and padel, and lead a full life.
The former striker added that it was great to see Aldonin moving around and maintaining an active routine during his recovery.
Career highlights and background
Aldonin enjoyed a successful playing career as a central midfielder and captained the Russian national team. He spent the most prominent years of his club career with CSKA Moscow, where he won the UEFA Cup in 2005 alongside two Russian Premier League titles and five Russian Cup trophies.
Bulykin, a former striker who also represented the Russian national team, played alongside Aldonin during their international careers. Their padel opponents, Malkin and Kovalchuk, are major figures in Russian sports, both having achieved success in international ice hockey and the National Hockey League.
Padel is a racket sport played in an enclosed court combining elements of tennis and squash. It has become a popular competitive recreation for professional athletes during and after their playing careers.
