Issa “ISSAA” Murad Announces Retirement from Playing Career, Eyes Coaching Path — A New Chapter in His CS Career

Issa “ISSAA” Murad Announces Retirement from Playing Career, Eyes Coaching Path — A New Chapter in His CS Career

Veteran rifler Issa “ISSAA” Murad, known for his impact-ful presence on multiple Counter-Strike rosters over the past decade, has officially retired from professional play, stating that he believes his greatest contributions to the game now lie on the coaching side. The announcement was confirmed in an interview with HLTV on February 11, 2026, where ISSAA reflected on his journey and detailed why this is the right time to transition into coaching. 

ISSAA, a 29-year-old Jordanian player whose competitive career began in the mid-2010s, made his name primarily through standout performances with HellRaisers and later OG — two respected names in the Counter-Strike ecosystem. His breakthrough moment came in 2018 at DreamHack Open Tours, where he earned MVP honors thanks to his tactical versatility and sharp rifling across the event. 

In his retirement statement, ISSAA said that stepping away from active competition was “one of the hardest decisions” he’s ever made, but that deep self-reflection over recent months led him to conclude that his optimal impact on the game could now come from mentoring and developing players as a coach rather than competing with a mouse in hand. He emphasized that his familiarity with high-pressure situations, role diversity, and leadership experiences — including times he served as an in-game leader (IGL) — provide a unique perspective for coaching roles. 

He also spoke candidly about his motivation for this transition: ISSAA noted that while he still harbors ambitions of winning the biggest titles in Counter-Strike, he now wants to do so by shaping and guiding teams rather than chasing them from within. That includes pursuing the elusive Major championship — a pinnacle that has historically eluded him as a player. 

Career Arc: From HellRaisers and OG to Offline Struggles

Across his professional timeline, ISSAA played at three Valve-sponsored Majors — the most prestigious events in the Counter-Strike calendar — and consistently proved himself a high-level competitor in an era marked by rapid meta shifts and global talent growth. 

His tenure with HellRaisers saw him team up with the likes of Tomáš “oskar” Šťastný and Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasiow, catalyzing some of his career’s most memorable runs. Later, with OG, he was part of the organization’s ambitious entry into Counter-Strike, with expectations that the mix of young talent and experienced leaders could deliver consistent results on the international stage.

However, ISSAA’s career momentum was interrupted around 2021 when he struggled to consistently compete online due to challenges related to remote play from his home in Jordan. This ultimately led to him being benched, and later stepping away from professional Counter-Strike entirely for parts of 2022, during which time he briefly explored VALORANT while finishing his university studies before returning to CS competition in 2023 with the lineup JiJieHao. 

A Broader Coaching Market and Transition

ISSAA’s move into coaching reflects a larger trend in the Counter-Strike ecosystem, where many former pros transition into analytical and strategy-oriented roles as they leverage years of in-game experience. Though HLTV’s report did not confirm which team ISSAA will join, his expressed interest includes roles as a head coach, assistant coach, or analyst — roles that can significantly influence team direction both in practice and during high-pressure tournament play. 

This shift also overlaps with broader coaching movements in CS2 and esports at large, where organizations like Impact (a name recently used for female CS2 competition) have begun strengthening coaching and leadership positions following roster rebuilds. While there isn’t a direct connection between ISSAA and the female Impact circuit’s team changes, the ongoing restructuring in various parts of the CS ecosystem underscores how teams are continually seeking strategic upgrades beyond just player lineups. 

Legacy and Future Prospects

Among fans and analysts, ISSAA is remembered for his cerebral playstyle and clutch potential, earning respect across regions despite not always reaching the highest prize-money finishes. His comments that he “knows what players feel in crucial moments” highlight one of coaching’s most valued skills: empathy rooted in personal competitive history — something veteran coaches often cite as the foundation of trust and efficacy with players. 

Ultimately, while ISSAA’s retirement closes the chapter on a long professional playing career, it opens a new one that could see him shape the next generation of Counter-Strike talent. For a player who’s seen the scene evolve from early offline LANs to today’s global CS2 era, his insights — both practical and philosophical — now may find their fullest expression guiding teams toward success in an evolving esports landscape.