Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov has officially closed the book on his competitive playing career, ending a run that spanned two decades across Counter-Strike, CS:GO, and VALORANT. The 35-year-old Ukrainian announced his retirement on social media, confirming that while his days as a pro player are done, he’s not leaving esports entirely. Starting next season, he’ll step into a new role as a VALORANT coach.
20 years of gaming comes to an end.
After taking a small break, I understood that it takes too much focus and energy for me to compete on the highest level. I truly did my best in the last 2 years, but expectation and reality unfortunately did not meet.
I still believe in my…
— NAVI ANGE1 (@OfficialANGE1) September 5, 2025
A Career Spanning Counter-Strike and VALORANT
If you’ve followed competitive FPS games over the years, chances are you’ve come across ANGE1’s name. From the early Counter-Strike 1.6 days through to CS:GO, he built a reputation as one of the CIS region’s most seasoned in-game leaders. Most fans remember his long stint with HellRaisers, where he not only led squads deep into international events but also helped nurture rising stars, including a young Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, who would later become one of the greatest to ever touch Counter-Strike.
ANGE1 playing for Virtus Pro in 2013 | Image Credit: ESL FaceIt Group
By the time VALORANT launched in 2020, ANGE1 was already well into his 30s, an age when many pros think about stepping away. Instead, he made the leap to Riot’s new shooter with FunPlus Phoenix, and it turned out to be the right call. His leadership guided FPX to one of the most memorable tournament runs in VALORANT history, winning Masters Copenhagen in 2022. At 32, he became the oldest player to ever lift a VALORANT international trophy, proving that experience still had its place at the top.
Image Credit: Riot Games
Transition to Natus Vincere and Final Years
When FPX’s roster joined Natus Vincere in 2023, ANGE1 stuck with his core teammates. NAVI remained a strong force in the EMEA region, but they struggled to translate that form internationally. Even with attempts to rebuild around fresh talent in 2025, ANGE1 admitted the grind of staying competitive at the highest level had taken its toll.
“After taking a small break, I understood that it takes too much focus and energy for me to compete on the highest level,” he said in his retirement post. “I truly did my best in the last 2 years, but expectation and reality unfortunately did not meet. Still, I believe in my vision of the game. One journey ends, and another begins.”
What’s Next for ANGE1?
That next chapter is coaching. Starting next season, ANGE1 will look to apply his tactical mind from the sidelines, aiming to pass on his decades of experience to the next generation of players. Considering his track record of shaping young talent, s1mple being the prime example, it wouldn’t be surprising if he finds success in this new role.
Tributes have already poured in from across the esports world. Fnatic’s Boaster joked about “getting banged by your Jett,” while Vitality’s apEX offered congratulations with a cheeky nod to their years of Counter-Strike battles. It’s clear ANGE1 leaves behind not just a list of tournament results, but also respect from peers across two esports titles.
A True Esports Veteran
From battling through the early days of Counter-Strike to hoisting trophies in VALORANT, ANGE1’s journey has been one of resilience, adaptation, and leadership. While his time as a player is over, his story in esports isn’t. Fans will be watching closely to see how he translates his in-game leadership into a coaching career, and whether he can help guide another squad to international success.
For now, one thing’s certain: ANGE1 retires with a legacy firmly cemented as one of esports’ longest-serving leaders, and VALORANT fans have plenty to look forward to when he makes his coaching debut next season.