Justinas “jL” Lekavicius has officially stepped down from Natus Vincere’s (NAVI) active Counter-Strike 2 lineup, marking an emotional and introspective pause in his competitive career. The announcement came via NAVI’s official Twitter account and was accompanied by a heartfelt video shared by jL himself. Filmed during his honeymoon in Greece, the 25-year-old Lithuanian rifler addressed fans directly, opening up about his personal struggles, shifting life priorities, and the mutual nature of the decision to step back from the pro scene.

Reflecting on a Difficult Year in CS: “I Wasn’t Happy Anymore”

“2025 was not our best year in Na’Vi,” jL shared candidly. “I wasn’t happy playing anymore, purely because of how I felt about the game and myself.” His departure is rooted in a deep sense of burnout and personal dissatisfaction with how his life was aligning with the demands of professional esports. At 25, and with a newly married life ahead, jL is reassessing his priorities – emphasizing a desire to be present for his family and to nurture personal growth beyond the server.

“I just want to be a good husband. Maybe a good father in the future,” he said in his video message. That sense of realignment has led him to step away from Counter-Strike, but not without sincere appreciation for his journey and the fans who supported it.

Recharging Mind and Body: A Personal Sabbatical

jL is planning a three to six month break to focus on his physical and mental health. He revealed ongoing issues with exhaustion and burnout, despite undergoing a transformation that saw him lose 18 kilograms in the past year. “I’m walking for 15 minutes and I’m tired. That’s what I mean about physical health,” jL admitted, shedding light on the often-overlooked physical toll of esports competition.

During his break, he intends to take up martial arts and explore content creation as a new creative outlet. He also shared plans to dive into the world of motorsports, having recently purchased a drift car. Through learning automotive mechanics and filming his journey, he’s looking to reignite a sense of passion that competing at the highest level no longer provides. “You really have to sacrifice a lot to be a tier one competitor,” he remarked. “And I feel like I’ve missed a lot in life.”

Staying Connected: “This Is Not the End”

While stepping back from the active roster, jL was adamant that this is merely a pause – not a retirement. He stressed that the decision was voluntary and rooted in authenticity. “I could’ve stayed longer. I could’ve kept collecting the paycheck. But no, I want to enjoy my life a little bit.”

His plan moving forward includes staying involved in the Counter-Strike community. Fans can expect to see him in FACEIT matches, co-streaming major tournaments, or possibly joining analyst desks for future events. “This is not the end. It’s just a little pause. I hope I come back stronger.”

You can watch his full video update below:

NAVI Looks Forward: Introducing Makazze to the Main Stage

With jL stepping aside, NAVI has confirmed that 17-year-old Drin “makazze” Shaqiri will be promoted to the active CS2 roster from the NAVI Junior team. A standout talent hailing from Kosovo, Makazze is widely considered one of the most promising prospects across the CIS and Balkan Counter-Strike scenes.

This call-up marks his debut on a tier-one level, thrusting him onto one of esports’ biggest stages. Known for his confident aim and fearless gameplay, Makazze now joins a lineup that features CS veterans and rising stars alike: b1t, Aleksib, iM, and w0nderful. The NAVI organization extended their gratitude to jL for his authenticity and enthusiastic energy, while enthusiastically welcoming the young newcomer into the fold.

The Updated NAVI CS2 Roster

  • Valerii “b1t” Vakhovskyi
  • Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen
  • Mihai “iM” Ivan
  • Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov
  • Drin “Makazze” Shaqiri
  • Andrii “B1ad3” Horodenskyi (Coach)

NAVI’s transition symbolizes both a farewell and a new opportunity. As the organization recalibrates its strategy for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on how the revamped lineup performs and whether Makazze can rise to the challenge of elite competitive play. For fans and insiders alike, 2025 now holds a variety of narratives – personal and professional – that will shape the path forward for NAVI and jL alike.

Source: Justinas “jL” Lekavicius Steps Away from CS: “I Want to Enjoy My Life a Little Bit”