Legendary Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Cédric “RpK” Guipouy has announced his retirement after competing in Valve’s shooter for over 14 years.
French CSGO veteran RpK is stepping away from competitive CSGO at the age of 32 to start his own company in the automobile industry. The pro player had retired from CSGO once before in 2012 but it seems his career has finally run its course.
RpK kick-started his journey in the Counter-Strike franchise when the CSGO was just in its embryonic stages. After becoming a household name in CS: Source, The Tank hopped on the Global Offensive hype bandwagon but quickly announced retirement to pursue a career in car mechanics. However, the pro player made a heroic return to CSGO, eventually becoming one of the most sought-after French players.
While his journey in G2, VeryGames, and Envy was up to scratch, RpK really shined in Team Vitality, where he played in a roster loaded with names of the best players France has to offer. His unique play style earned him the title of “The Tank” in the CSGO community. He posted excellent ratings throughout his career by attending eight majors, winning significant trophies, and propelling Vitality to the top of the world rankings.
However, a dip in Vitality’s performance since the start of 2021 saw RpK pack his bags and evaluate other options in the scene. The legendary player spent some time on the bench and was eventually released from his contract with Vitality on August 26. He finally announced his future plans, which don’t include gunning in CSGO.
To keep “The Tank” legacy alive, RpK has started his merch line. The pro player is also working on other projects that he would announce soon. While RpK has confirmed that he’s dropping the mouse, he hasn’t written off a possibility of returning in a managerial or coaching post.
“I doubt it’s possible that people will see me in esports anytime soon, but as they always say and as the people who know me are aware of, nothing is impossible,” RpK told Dexerto.
