kRYSTAL retired as a professional player

kRYSTAL has officially announced the end of his career as a professional player. The 29-year-old German spoke about this on his social networks, adding that from now on he is considering the possibility of continuing to work as a coach.

I thought about it for a long time, but I came to the conclusion that from now on I want to be a coach. I had a very long and very unique career. I've always been a very hard working player, but I'm ready for the next chapter.

I've grown as a person just because of Counter-Strike and all the hardships I've been through, and I'm eternally grateful. I fully accept the reality that how people think about someone (unfortunately) affects their strength and capabilities. I really love CS and want to keep playing but I don't want to be captain anymore. On the other hand, values such as pride, money and self-realization are also important to me. Some of them are forced on me (money), some can be fatal (pride).

I was ready to continue playing, but not as a captain. But there are too many conditions that need to be fulfilled in order for me to realize this desire. To get back to the very beginning of this tweet, I need to make a decision. Not just about what I want, but what is best.

I am ending my active playing career immediately. I know, thanks to everything I've been through and everything I've achieved, if I really want to do something, I can definitely do it.

kRYSTAL appeared on the scene back in 2011. Immediately after the end of the short era of Counter-Strike: Source, he moved to CS:GO. Over the next ten years, the 29-year-old German managed to try his hand at many teams, including Sprout, Rogue, GODSENT, ALTERNATE aTTaX and cowana Gaming.

In particular, kRYSTAL became the champion of ESEA Season 24: Global Challenge, DreamHack Open Summer 2018, LOOT.BET/CS Season 4, WePlay! Forge of Masters Season 2 and LOOT.BET/CS Season 7, earning over $125,000 in prize money.

It is noteworthy that he also had a chance to try himself as a coach - in 2019, kRYSTAL led the BIG Academy, having achieved little success.

In his huge message, kRYSTAL also noted that his contract with cowana Gaming will end on January 1, 2023, at which time he will become a free agent.