Chopper Responds to Calls to Rejoin Team Spirit: “I’m a Streamer. Period.”

Former Team Spirit in-game leader Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov has publicly addressed ongoing fan requests urging him to return to the active Counter-Strike 2 roster. His answer was direct and left little room for speculation.

During a recent Twitch stream, the veteran made his current priorities crystal clear:

“Guys, please stop… I’m a streamer. Period. That’s it.”

The statement effectively shuts down speculation about a near-term competitive comeback and signals a major shift in the Russian veteran’s career.

Why Fans Wanted Chopper Back on Team Spirit

Chopper spent years as the tactical backbone of Team Spirit and played a major role in the organization’s rise in the CS:GO era. After being moved to the bench in late 2025, fans continued to ask about a possible return whenever the team struggled or made roster changes.

However, chopper urged viewers to trust the current lineup and give the roster time to develop:

“Let the guys play CS… they’re professionals.”

This comment reinforces the idea that he sees himself as part of Spirit’s past rather than its future competitive plans.

Team Spirit Roster Changes: What Happened in December 2025

The conversation around chopper’s comeback stems from Team Spirit’s December 2025 roster reshuffle, when the organization benched both chopper and Ivan “zweih” Gogin.

The move brought Boris “magixx” Vorobiev and Myroslav “zont1x” Plakhotia back into the starting lineup and signaled a shift toward a refreshed leadership structure.

Shortly after the benching, chopper announced he would step away from professional play to rest and reassess his future. His plan included streaming and returning to the question of competition later in 2026.

His latest comments now strongly suggest that the break has turned into a full-time career transition.

Donk on Magixx vs Chopper as Team Spirit IGL

Star rifler Danil “donk” Kryshkovets later addressed the leadership change and compared magixx with his former captain. According to donk, the new in-game leader brings a different kind of consistency to the team:

“Boris is more stable… he constantly grinds… and in my opinion, he calls well.”

The statement reflects Team Spirit’s confidence in the new leadership direction and explains why the organization has not revisited the idea of bringing chopper back.

pashaBiceps Praises Team Spirit’s New Captain

The roster move also received support from outside the organization. Counter-Strike legend Jarosław “pashaBiceps” Jarząbkowski spoke positively about magixx’s leadership potential:

“Team Spirit are in very safe hands.”

Endorsements from respected veterans add credibility to Spirit’s long-term rebuild strategy and further reduce the likelihood of roster reversals.

Chopper’s New Career Focus: Streaming and Community Content

Chopper’s shift away from pro play has become increasingly visible throughout 2026. His Twitch channel has seen strong growth, including major viewership spikes during big CS events.

At one point, he even questioned the legitimacy of a massive peak audience on his stream:

“I don’t believe in that kind of viewership… something weird is going on.”

The comment highlighted how quickly his streaming career has expanded — and how unexpected the growth has been even for him.

What’s Next for Team Spirit in CS2

Team Spirit continues its 2026 campaign with magixx leading the squad. The team is expected to compete in ESL Pro League Season 23, one of the major events early in the CS2 calendar.

With a new captain, a reshaped roster, and the rise of superstar donk, the organization appears focused on long-term stability rather than revisiting past lineups.