Nitr0 to step down from Team Lqiuid after IEM Dallas
In a surprising announcement, Nicholas "nitr0" Cannella, the in-game leader for Team Liquid, revealed that he will be stepping back from competitive Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). Nitr0's decision comes as a result of the demanding travel schedule associated with professional CS:GO, which has become increasingly challenging for him, especially with his growing family at home. The 27-year-old veteran cited the desire to spend more time with his family as the primary reason behind his departure.
Captain America at Liquid:
Nitr0, who has been an integral part of the North American Counter-Strike scene for almost a decade, has been with Team Liquid since 2015. His tenure with the organization witnessed numerous achievements, including 11 Major appearances and a dozen tournament victories. Nitr0 played a pivotal role in Team Liquid's golden age in 2019, during which they secured five consecutive tier-one tournament wins and claimed the prestigious Intel Grand Slam title.
After briefly transitioning to VALORANT with 100 Thieves' squad in 2020, nitr0 returned to Team Liquid's CS:GO roster in 2022. However, his performances and results in 2023 drew criticism from the community, prompting speculation about his future within the team. The recent introduction of Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis as the in-game leader during the BLAST Paris Major further fueled rumors about nitr0's potential departure.
Nitr0's final tournament will be IEM Dallas, set to take place on May 30. Facing their arch-rivals Astralis in the opening match, Team Liquid will bid farewell to their long-standing captain on home soil. As nitr0 concludes his competitive journey, he expressed a potential interest in streaming and acknowledged that his future beyond CS:GO remains uncertain. He remains open to exploring new opportunities and is eager to see where streaming takes him.
The Future:
With nitr0's departure, Team Liquid will now embark on the search for a new fifth player to complete their roster. While it is unclear if YEKINDAR will permanently assume the in-game leadership role going forward, the organization is actively looking to fill the vacant posi
Nitr0's decision marks the end of an era for Team Liquid and leaves a void in the North American CS:GO scene. His contributions to the team's success and his impact as an in-game leader will be remembered by fans and peers alike. As nitr0 enters a new chapter in his life, the CS:GO community eagerly anticipates his future endeavors, both as a streamer and a potential return to competitive play in the rumored Counter-Strike 2 sequel.