CSGO: Na`Vi's Zeus Retires from Professional Counterstrike

Natus Vincere's 31-year old captain Danylo “Zeus” Teslenko came out with the announcement that he is retiring from professional Counterstrike. Zeus’ esports run will end next Monday, right after BLAST Pro Series Moscow.

Danylo “Zeus” Teslenko started his esports career seventeen years ago, first playing for team Arsenal before playing under the legendary pro100 tag with kane, kekc, raz0r and Edward two years later.

For most of the last 10 years, Teslenko played for Natus Vincere and won innumerable tournaments with different lineups while wearing the black and yellow jersey. Na`Vi wouldn't be his greatest accomplishment, however. He became the Major champion of the 2017 PGL Krakow Major with Gambit Esports while he played for them from October 2016 to August 2017.

⚡️@ZeusCSGO is retiring
Details: https://t.co/bjbBmhOvaG #GoodByeZeus #navination pic.twitter.com/6P1why6jkh

— NAVI (@natusvincere) September 9, 2019

Zeus' contribution to the development of Counterstrike is essential: he revived team pro100 in 2017, he owns his own esports school, ZeusCyberSchool and is a founder of the CIS Esports League.

There have been rumors about Zeus’ retirement for a long time, but Teslenko consistently put all his energy into his teams to snag a Major trophy with Natus Vincere. It did not turn out well for him at StarLadder Berlin Major; Na`Vi finished their run on the quarterfinal stage but lost to NRG 0-2.

What's Next For Zeus

As of now, Zeus does not plan to enter a coaching role, and it's clear from his statement that he wants to keep developing the Counterstrike in the CIS region. The then plans to open an esports academy to work and develop young upcoming talents.

It was a tough decision — I have been thinking about it for a while. 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.

Fans can watch Teslenko's final tournament, BLAST Pro Series Moscow, this Friday and Saturday on Twitch.

There’s no information yet about a replacement for Zeus on the Natus Vincere roster.