en
jL Says He May Retire if He Doesn't Find a Team After Singapore
Former NAVI rifler Justinas “jL” Lekavičius has suggested he could retire from professional Counter-Strike 2 if he cannot find the right team after the PGL Major Singapore 2026. The 2024 Major MVP discussed his future in an interview with HLTV on Wednesday (October 28), following Vitality's qualification for the PGL Masters Bucharest playoffs.
Asked about his plans for the next season, jL said he would ideally join a team capable of fighting for trophies. However, he made clear that continuing his career is not a priority at any cost.
“To be honest, if I don't find a team after Singapore, I might just call it quits.”
jL Wants the Right Team, Not Just Another Contract
The Lithuanian explained that winning trophies is only part of what motivates him. He also values the experience of improving alongside teammates and building strong relationships throughout the competitive process.
“I don't necessarily just love the trophies. I love the process of getting to a trophy, working with each other, playing around each other...”
For jL, finding that kind of environment matters more than simply securing another contract. He made it clear that he would rather pursue other interests than join a team where he does not feel comfortable or motivated to compete.
Family is also part of the decision. jL revealed that he and his wife are expecting a child and said he could dedicate more time to his family and content creation if he steps away from professional competition.
His Vitality Stand-In Run Comes After Leaving NAVI
jL is currently playing for Vitality as a temporary replacement for Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, who is away on paternity leave. He also stood in for William “mezii” Merriman at BLAST Open Porto earlier this season while the British player was attending to family matters.
On Tuesday (October 27), Vitality defeated jL's former team NAVI 2-0, winning Inferno 13-2 and Dust2 13-9 to reach the PGL Masters Bucharest playoffs. In the HLTV interview, jL said his focus during the stand-in period was helping Vitality achieve the best possible results, rather than treating the event as an audition for other organizations.
The 27-year-old won the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 with NAVI and earned the tournament's MVP award. He later stepped away from the team's active roster in July 2025 and officially left the organization in July 2026.
The Singapore Major runs from November 24 to December 13. For jL, the period after the tournament could determine whether he returns to a permanent roster in 2027 or chooses a different path. He has not announced a final decision to retire.
Follow Strafe Esports for the latest Counter-Strike 2 news, and our X account for more updates and coverage. Visit Strafe's YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences and more.
Featured Image Credit: Pawel Bastrzyk/ESL
Read more:
NAVI’s Aleksib Handed 4 Months Suspended Prison Sentence
jL Set to Get Major Sticker Instead of apEX and Jokes About It
