by One of Counter-Strike’s greatest AWPers, Ladislav “GuardiaN” Kovács, announced his official retirement from professional play, bringing an end to a remarkable career spanning nearly 20 years.
The Slovakian veteran, who was a staple in the competitive scene from Counter-Strike 1.6 through Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, announced his decision in a video released by BC.Game, citing burnout and a desire to focus on streaming.
“The decision was not hard to make,” GuardiaN shared.
“After spending half of my life competing, traveling, and grinding, I felt it was time to move on.”
A towering figure in the CS:GO era, GuardiaN was known for his pinpoint precision and calm under pressure, making him one of the most feared snipers in the game’s history.
His career saw him represent some of the biggest organisations, most notably Natus Vincere and FaZe Clan, where he enjoyed immense success but also suffered heartbreak on Counter-Strike’s biggest stages.
Thank you for the kind words my fellow friends, opponents and teammates, fans, haters. Hopefully i was a good friend to all of you and that you all had a nice time with me as well as I had with you guys. I loved every single moment of this part of my life ??
— Ladislav Kovács (@guardiancsgo) March 5, 2025
GuardiaN’s professional journey began in 2006, gaining early recognition in Counter-Strike: Source with Reason Gaming before transitioning to Global Offensive, where he cemented his legacy.
His time with NaVi from 2013 to 2017 saw him emerge as one of the world’s best, consistently delivering standout performances.
He helped the team win numerous titles, including ESL One New York 2016 and StarSeries Season 2, but fell agonisingly short of CS:GO’s ultimate prize—a Major trophy.
GuardiaN reached three Major grand finals, finishing as a runner-up at DreamHack Cluj-Napoca 2015, MLG Columbus 2016 and ELEAGUE Major 2018.
Despite never claiming a Major, his individual brilliance was undeniable.
He was named in HLTV’s Top 20 players for six consecutive years, peaking at #2 in the world in 2015, and remained a dominant force with his AWP.
His move to FaZe Clan in 2017 gave him another shot at Major glory, leading one of the most stacked rosters in CS:GO history.
He played a pivotal role in FaZe’s ELEAGUE Premier 2017 win and victories at ESL One New York 2017, IEM Sydney 2018, and EPICENTER 2018.
However, his most painful defeat came in the ELEAGUE Boston 2018 final, where FaZe let a 15-9 lead slip to Cloud9 in overtime.
As the competitive landscape evolved, GuardiaN gradually faded from the top-tier scene.
He returned to Na’Vi in 2019 but struggled to regain form, eventually stepping down.
In recent years, he competed with smaller teams such as Sampi, Singularity, and BC.Game, where he briefly explored coaching in 2024.
Now, with his playing career officially behind him, GuardiaN is turning his focus to streaming and potential roles in esports analysis or commentary.
“I’ve done it all,” he reflected.
“I’ve been to Majors, I’ve played in finals, I’ve won big tournaments, and I had amazing teammates. A Major trophy would have been nice, but that’s not all it takes to be happy.”
GuardiaN’s influence on Counter-Strike is undeniable.
His mechanical skill, composure, and longevity place him among the greatest AWPers to ever play the game.
His 1v5 clutch against Fnatic in the IEM Katowice 2018 final remains one of the most iconic plays in Counter-Strike history, and his rivalry with the world’s best snipers set a gold standard for the role.
While he may be stepping away from professional play, his impact will be felt for years to come.
Future generations of AWPers will look to GuardiaN as a benchmark for excellence—a player who redefined what it meant to be an elite sniper.
As he embarks on this new chapter, Counter-Strike bids farewell to a true legend.
Counter-Strike Legend Ladislav 'GuardiaN' Kovács:
I'm retiring! ??After an incredible career, @guardiancsgo shares a heartfelt message of gratitude to the whole competitive Counter-Strike scene!
?? Watch the full interview here: https://t.co/790V6UG6cr#BCGAME pic.twitter.com/UnTlJkNFf4
— BC.Game Esports (@BCGameEsports) March 4, 2025
