GamerLegion sign shalfey as new CS2 captain after Snax asks to be benched

GamerLegion have a new in-game leader. The organisation signed 24-year-old Russian Aleksandr "shalfey" Marenov this week to take over from Polish veteran Janusz "Snax" Pogorzelski. Snax has since said he asked to be taken out of the line-up several weeks ago.

Who is shalfey?

HLTV reports that shalfey spent the last two months with the ex-RUSTEC roster in several online competitions. Across multiple stints with domestic Russian teams in 2026 he averaged a 1.06 rating. Joining GamerLegion is his first international project.

He joins the following roster:

• Fredrik "REZ" Sterner (Sweden)
• Sebastian "Tauson" Tauson Lindelof (Denmark)
• Timur "FL4MUS" Marev (Russia)
• Milan "hypex" Polowiec (Poland)
• Aleksandr "shalfey" Marenov (Russia)
• Coach: Adrian "imd" Pieper (Poland)

Snax explains his decision

GamerLegion benched Snax on Wednesday, 21 October. The next day he posted on social media that he had asked the club about six weeks earlier to find a replacement. According to Insider Gaming, he said the season had worn him down and that he was struggling to stay focused and help his teammates. He also mentioned the team's frequent changes and string of stand-ins.

Snax thanked the players and staff. He also asked fans not to blame coach imd for how things had gone. He said he needs a break and has not decided what comes next. Retirement at the start of the new year is possible, and so is a later comeback. His contract runs for about two more months.

A tough moment for GamerLegion

The change comes as GamerLegion are struggling for results. HLTV says they finished last in the PGL Bucharest 2027 Closed Qualifier, which leaves them almost out of the race for PGL Major Singapore in December. shalfey's first event will be the RLG Tesla Cup 2026, where GamerLegion face Envy in the first round on 27 October.

Qikert moves into coaching

Former Virtus.pro rifler Alexey "qikert" Golubev has also changed roles. On 21 October, Team Spirit named him head coach of their CS2 academy team. Esports.ru reported that this is his first professional coaching job. He replaces Vladislav "Flash_1" Bykov, who has moved to Spirit Academy White.

As a player, qikert was with Virtus.pro, PARIVISION and 1win Team. He announced earlier this month that he was a free agent, and his career prize money is about US$626,000. The academy roster he takes over is VILBy, Kiryasoo, Netrix, s1nside and k0gaSs.

Why the timing matters

These moves come during a busy run of events. PGL Masters Bucharest starts on 24 October, IEM Beijing follows in early November, and the Singapore Major is at the end of the year. Teams that are outside the top tier, like GamerLegion, are making changes now so they have a few weeks to settle before 2027.

Key takeaways

• GamerLegion have signed 24-year-old Russian IGL shalfey to replace Snax.
• Snax says he asked to be replaced about six weeks ago and is taking a break, with retirement possible.
• shalfey's first event is the RLG Tesla Cup, where GamerLegion play Envy on 27 October.
• Qikert is now head coach of Team Spirit's CS2 academy team, his first professional coaching role.

FAQ

Has Snax retired from Counter-Strike? No. He says he is stepping away from competing for now. He may retire at the start of the new year or come back later.

What is shalfey's background? shalfey is a 24-year-old Russian in-game leader. He has played with domestic Russian rosters, most recently ex-RUSTEC, and GamerLegion is his first international team.

Where did Qikert go? He became head coach of Team Spirit Academy, taking over from Flash_1. It is his first professional coaching job.

Sources: HLTV, Insider Gaming, Esports.ru