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A Short-Lived Chapter Ends

Brazilian Counter-Strike veteran Marcelo “coldzera” David has officially parted ways with ODDIK, ending a brief three-month stint with the organisation. The move was confirmed on October 28, with both parties stating the split was by “mutual agreement.”

The 30-year-old joined ODDIK in July 2025 after a year with RED Canids, where he took on an unexpected AWPing role. Upon joining ODDIK, coldzera returned to rifling and posted a solid 1.11 rating across 94 maps. However, despite flashes of promise, the team struggled to convert performances into consistent results on the South American circuit.

Mixed Results and Missed Opportunities

ODDIK’s campaign never quite found its footing. The team exited early from several online competitions and failed to secure major wins at domestic LAN events such as the Circuito FERJEE de Esports Finals (2nd place), FERJEE Rush (3rd), and Circuit X South America Season 1 (5–8th).

Their only international appearance came at Fragadelphia Fragville, where they managed a fourth-place finish. ODDIK also narrowly missed qualifying for the StarLadder Budapest Major, falling short of the final Americas slot to RED Canids by just 16 VRS points.

Cold’s departure follows another recent shakeup in ODDIK’s roster, as Fillipe “pancc” Martins was benched earlier this month in favour of academy player Vitor “Ceruttera” Cerutti. Interestingly, coldzera was absent from the team’s last two matches in the ESL Challenger League Season 50 Cup 4, where coach Caio “CX1” Coutinho had to step in. Both matches ended in losses, signalling a deeper internal struggle.

With coldzera gone, ODDIK’s active lineup now features:

  • João “naitte” Maia
  • Adriano “WOOD7” Cerato
  • Ítalo “ksloks” Meinberg
  • Caio “CX1” Coutinho (Coach)

Meanwhile, matios, togs, and pancc remain benched.

“The End of an Era” or “One More Chapter”?

The announcement set the Counter-Strike community ablaze with discussion. Once hailed as one of the greatest players in CS history, coldzera’s recent years have been marked by inconsistent form and frequent team changes.

On social media, fans voiced both disappointment and sympathy. One user joked, “The guy retired coldzera with one DM,” referencing the viral drama that preceded his exit. Others compared his career trajectory to that of football legends, writing, “Is Cold the Neymar and FalleN the CR7? Two geniuses in their twilight, but one’s still shining while the other’s fading.”

Another fan lamented, “It’s sad to see such a legend end his career like this. It would’ve been more honourable to retire officially or build a youth project instead of jumping between teams.”

Still, not everyone shared the same sentiment. Some defended his right to continue playing, with one comment reading, “He was number one on HLTV twice, won two Major MVPs, and inspired a generation. Let the man play if he still loves competing.”

A Legacy That Can’t Be Erased

Despite the criticism, there’s no denying coldzera’s impact on Counter-Strike. As a two-time HLTV Player of the Year (2016, 2017) and a two-time Major MVP, he was once the face of Brazilian CS, leading Luminosity Gaming and SK Gaming to global dominance.

Yet, as the esports landscape continues to evolve, many wonder whether coldzera still has a place among the elite. His next move remains unknown, though community speculation hints that he may either step away from competition or seek one final roster to close his storied career on his own terms.

Whatever comes next, his legacy as one of Counter-Strike’s all-time greats is already cemented, even if his final chapters are proving to be the most turbulent yet.