Former Russian football star Alexander Kerzhakov recently shared joyful news on social media, announcing his reunion with his son Artem after nearly two years of distance spurred by conflicts with the boy's mother, Mila Tulpanova.
Kerzhakov, who once dazzled fans as one of Russia's top forwards, revealed the emotional meeting occurred in February 2025. This marks the first significant contact between father and son since they were seen together publicly back in spring 2023. "I am incredibly happy to have spent time with my son after such long separation," Kerzhakov posted, accompanied by both text updates and photos, reflecting his excitement.
Yet, the circumstances surrounding this reunion speak volumes about the complications between the former partners. Tulpanova has been openlycritical of Kerzhakov, particularly with regard to his commitment as a father. Just days after Kerzhakov's reunion post, she took to her own social media account to mock him, stating, "I raise my glass to my ex," alongside inappropriate language, implying unresolved animosity between them.
The backdrop to these events is not just personal; it is also legal. A court had previously granted Tulpanova custody of Artem, with Kerzhakov being ordered to pay child support — reportedly just 11,000 rubles, which has raised eyebrows considering his football career. Sadly, his once-flourishing sports must have financial consequences as his earnings have dwindled.
Kerzhakov's relationship with his son hasn’t been without its ups and downs. According to the former footballer, there have been times when the two were able to connect effortlessly through regular phone calls and playful games, creating memories which were cherished by both. He remarked, "I talked to him very often, and it was wonderful. We played games together, it felt perfect. But there are moments when I’m unable to reach him, and it leaves me troubled" — this he expressed during his talks with football analyst Nobel Arustamyan on YouTube, illustrating his love as well as frustration with the situation.
After his split from Tulpanova, Kerzhakov vowed to maintain connections with all his kids, including his daughter from previous relationships, indicating he has remarried and found stability with his second wife, Evgenia Ledashova. He credits her as supportive of his parenting efforts, bringing another layer of complexity to their family's dynamics.
On her part, Tulpanova has moved on and reportedly entered and exited other relationships since the split. This includes marrying a businessman and later making headlines about their public split, which she handled with equal fervor as her feud with Kerzhakov.
This tug-of-war between parental rights and responsibilities, coupled with public displays of conflict, raises questions about the impact on Artem. Observers suggest it’s concerning for any child to witness public altercations between their parents, which could lead to emotional complications as they grow older.
The story of Kerzhakov and Tulpanova reveals not only the challenges of co-parenting but also the very human emotions at play — jealousy, love, anger, and resilience. With both parents often taking to social media to air their grievances, one can only hope they might come to some sort of amicable arrangement for the sake of their son.
Looking forward, it remains to be seen whether the father-son reunion leads to more sustained involvement from Kerzhakov or if it will be mired by continued public conflict with Tulpanova. For now, one can celebrate small wins — it’s heartening to see estranged family members reconnect, but it’s equally poignant to recognize the work still needed to build lasting and healthy relationships.