The major winning Ukrainian in-game leader Danylo ‘Zeus’ Teslenko is set to retire after Blast Pro Moscow, he previously announced in a HLTV interview back in December that he has decided that his time with Counter-Strike has come to an end and that he feels he must make way for the new generation to take up his mantel. He looks forward to lead his team for one last time in front of their home crowd in Moscow.
The announcement came from NatusVincere soon after an unexpected exit from the Berlin after falling short against NRG in the quarterfinals. The final tournament for the veteran IGL in NaVi colors would see his side go up against the likes of Vitality, ENCE, and MIBR.
“It was a tough decision — I have
been thinking about it for a while,” Zeus said in a statement. ”
There were rumors I could leave after BLAST, but I believed our new roster
could win a Major, or make it into the finals at least.
“But we lost early on, and I
realize I need to give way to the youth. It’s rough, honestly: I have devoted
20 years of my life to Counter-Strike, and it’s about time to wrap it up. I
want to thank everyone who was with me all this time, cheered for me and
believed in me.
“This is not an end, but a start
of a new path. There will be lots of interesting stuff: I want to develop
esports in CIS, build a pro academy, engage with the young. I have lots of
ideas. But I will not be coaching, at least for now. It might happen sometime
in the future.
“My last event, BLAST, will start in a few days in Moscow. I am inviting every person who can — come and support us. Our eyes are set on the victory.”
Zews has shared the stage with the likes of s1imple and electronic. He has been crowned as a major winner under the Gambit line-up in PGL Krakow 2017, followed by ESL One Cologne and Blast Pro Copenhagen in 2018 under the NAVI banner. The 31-year-old has decided that his career has come to a natural conclusion and thus the decision and is set to retire with a career to envy upon.
