Team Liquid's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) squad is set to bid farewell to their long-standing in-game leader, Nicholas "nitr0" Cannella, following the upcoming IEM Dallas tournament. In a heartfelt statement posted on May 26, nitr0 revealed that the relentless travel demands of competitive CS:GO, coupled with his increasing family responsibilities, have led him to make the difficult decision to step back from professional gaming.

nitr0 To Retires Following IEM Dallas Farewell

Having been an integral part of the North American Counter-Strike scene for nearly a decade, nitr0's departure marks the end of an era for Team Liquid. Since joining the prestigious organization in 2015, the 27-year-old has played a pivotal role in their meteoric rise to the forefront of the CS:GO scene, participating in 11 Majors and capturing an impressive collection of trophies.

During Team Liquid's golden age in 2019, nitr0's leadership played a key role in the team's remarkable achievements, securing five consecutive tier-one tournament victories and claiming the coveted Intel Grand Slam. However, in 2020, he briefly ventured into VALORANT, joining 100 Thieves' roster alongside former Liquid teammate Spencer "Hiko" Martin.

Returning to Team Liquid CS:GO in 2022 as their captain, nitr0 faced some challenges and received criticism from the community due to a series of lackluster performances and underwhelming results in 2023. The team's recent performance at the BLAST Paris Major, where they managed a top-eight finish but were eliminated disappointingly by Apeks, raised further speculation about nitr0's future within the roster.

With reports surfacing that Latvian rifler Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis has taken on in-game calling duties at the Paris Major, the question of nitr0's permanent replacement looms. Although it remains unconfirmed whether YEKINDAR will assume the captaincy role going forward, Team Liquid is actively searching for a new fifth member to complete their roster.

In light of nitr0's imminent departure, fans and teammates alike eagerly anticipate his final tournament appearance on home soil at IEM Dallas. The event, scheduled for May 30, will witness Team Liquid facing off against their arch-rivals, Astralis. It presents an emotional and fitting backdrop for nitr0's farewell, as he bids adieu to competitive CS:GO and embarks on a new chapter in his life.

As nitr0's journey in professional gaming draws to a close, he plans to transition to streaming, keeping his passion for gaming alive while nurturing his growing family. Although his retirement from CS:GO may be permanent, nitr0 hasn't entirely ruled out the possibility of returning to competitive play if a sequel like Counter-Strike 2 emerges in the future.