The fallen-through move to MOUZ and the upcoming match for Vitality—highlights from the All About Counter-Strike podcast with jL
Esports player Justinas “jL” Lekavičius appeared on the latest episode of the All About Counter-Strike podcast. Here’s a quick rundown of the highlights in our article.
On his performance for MOUZ, the failed move to the team, and his approach to Counter-Strike
jL admitted that he was dissatisfied with his performance for MOUZ at PGL Astana 2026. According to him, it’s hard to return to the pro scene right away after a long break, and some roles were new to him. That said, he was in decent form thanks to regular play on FACEIT. He considers MOUZ’s results respectable, but he himself wants to compete for trophies. jL also revealed that he could have joined MOUZ after the IEM Cologne Major 2026, but the parties were unable to agree on contract terms. He said that all the players wanted him on the roster, and he himself had been counting on the move.
Speaking about his approach to Counter-Strike, jL noted that he wants to play for trophies and be surrounded by like-minded people. He added that he can’t imagine himself on a roster where players are content with their current situation, since it’s important for him to constantly progress and reach new heights.
On the Lithuanian roster, the buyout from Natus Vincere, and contracts on the Tier 1 scene
jL believes that a roster featuring him, dziugss, and ryu could compete for trophies on the Tier 1 scene. However, the team would need a sniper and an IGL, and the players would have to sacrifice some of their personal ambitions for the sake of the team’s overall success. The esports player also noted that he would like to play on such a team, but putting together an all-Lithuanian roster would be extremely difficult.
jL explained that his move from Natus Vincere to another team fell through due to a high buyout clause. According to the player, he could have left last winter, but NAVI wasn’t willing to lower the set price. jL added that the amount wasn’t officially specified in the contract, but the organization stuck to a fixed price.
jL also commented on the length of contracts in the Tier 1 scene. He believes that one-year agreements can create problems due to the timing of the Majors. According to the esports player, two-year contracts are a more practical option, whereas three-year contracts have now become the standard.
On his temporary stint with Team Vitality, tournament preparation, and the challenges of a professional career
jL explained that the decision to invite him to Team Vitality as a stand-in was a collective one by the team. The esports player will compete in two tournaments and believes this choice reflects the players’ trust in him. In his opinion, it would be difficult to find a more suitable replacement among free agents and substitute players. During his first four days of training, jL has already familiarized himself with Vitality’s gameplay. He does not intend to copy the style of apEX or mezii but wants to maintain his own approach.
jL also touched on the length of a professional career. He believes that performance level is influenced not so much by age as by the number of years spent on the pro scene. In his opinion, after ten years in professional Counter-Strike, it becomes harder for a player to adapt to the game at the same level, although individual qualities like reaction time may remain.
On his time at Natus Vincere, future goals, and his attitude toward the Tier 2 scene
jL admitted that he is not ready to discuss in detail the issues within Natus Vincere or the reasons for his departure from the roster. He said that you only begin to understand certain things years after leaving. He didn’t rule out giving a detailed interview about that period someday, but for now, he prefers not to disclose the details.
jL named a return to the Tier 1 scene as his main goal. At the same time, he isn’t sure he’s ready to compete at Tier 2, though he’s open to the possibility as part of an ambitious project with players who want to win a Major and are willing to work hard to achieve it. Speaking about Tier 2 players, jL also noted that he believes any esports player is capable of rising to Tier 1.
Read also:
- jL on his failed move to MOUZ: “Unfortunately, we were unable to agree on the contract details” (first part of the podcast).
- jL on the buyout clause in his Natus Vincere contract: “It was a 100% obstacle” (second part of the podcast).
- jL on his temporary move to Team Vitality: “It was a joint decision by the team” (third part of the podcast).
- jL: “My goal is to return to Tier 1” (fourth part of the podcast).
Earlier, Team Vitality co-owner and CEO Fabien “Neo” Davidé welcomed Justinas “jL” Lekavičius as a stand-in for the club’s main CS2 roster. He expressed confidence in the starting five and thanked jL for his willingness to step in as a temporary replacement.
Photo — Roman Imperium Cup.
