Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev is done with Team Falcons and questions are swirling about whether he’s going to be returning to NaVi, returning to vacation, or if he’ll just retire.
s1mple is almost inarguably the greatest Counter-Strike player of all time. He’s collected every notable trophy there is in the game, topped scoreboards, and dazzled fans and opponents alike with both his shooting and smarts. That made his indefinite hiatus in 2023 less surprising than it should’ve been.
He broke up that hiatus in 2024 by making the surprise move to Saudi Arabian superteam Team Falcons. That transfer was a mere trial run however, and according to s1mple, it’s not set to be a permanent move. So what’s next for him?
s1mple confirmed on his Telegram account that he is no longer a part of Team Falcons.
“I’m not moving to Falcons,” s1mple flatly stated.
The trial run for s1mple was set to run into December 2024. It’s unclear who ultimately made the decision to scrap a permanent transfer. It’s possible that the team, or s1mple himself, has seen enough to close the door on a permanent move. It’s also possible that NaVi and Falcons were unable to come to terms on a deal for a transfer.
Regardless, s1mple’s run with the team will not be appearing on his career highlight reel whenever he chooses to retire.
As of the announcement, s1mple made just three appearances with the team, none of which went particularly well. He first appeared on the team on a short-term loan in March 2024 for the Blast Premier Spring Showdown, which led to a one-and-done elimination from the event.
He returned seven months later for the Thunderpick World Championship 2024, with the team getting eliminated from the group stage with a 0-2 record. His probable final appearance for the team came at ESL Challenger Katowice 2024, where the team once again washed out of the group stage.
All in all, s1mple’s run with Team Falcons lasted just five matches, all of which ended in defeat. So what’s next for him?
s1mple stated on X that he plans to return to action, and will “be back stronger.”
The player stepped down from NaVi’s roster in 2023, following the team’s second-place finish in ESL Pro League Season 18. He has done little since, with his only official appearances being those five losses with Falcons. That doesn’t mean s1mple is going to retire, though.
On November 19, s1mple tweeted that he’s going to return to form and has his eyes set on winning another Counter-Strike major. Though it’s uncertain where it’ll be, it doesn’t seem like fans have seen the last of s1mple.
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