jL Eyes Summer Return to Tier-1 Counter-Strike After Extended Break

jL hopes to return to tier-one competition in summer 2026

Justinas “jL” Lekavicius has revealed that he expects to make his competitive Counter-Strike return in the summer of 2026 if circumstances align, after spending more than half a year away from tier-one play.

The Lithuanian rifler, currently contracted to Natus Vincere, recently appeared on LAN for the first time since June while standing in for Team Liquid at the Roman Imperium Cup VI. He replaced Guy Iluz, who was unable to attend the event due to travel complications.

During an interview with HLTV ahead of Liquid’s group-stage matches, jL explained that his long-term plan is to return to professional play in the second half of the year.

“I should theoretically be back in the summer if everything is correct and it works out,” he said, noting that a comeback to tier-one competition remains his primary objective.

However, he also acknowledged that if those plans fail to materialize, he would continue focusing on streaming, content creation, and staying connected to the professional scene.

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Filling in for Liquid during roster turbulence

jL’s appearance with Liquid came amid significant roster movement between the North American organization and G2 Esports.

Shortly before the event, G2 and Liquid finalized a player swap that saw Mario Samayoa join Liquid while NertZ moved the opposite direction to G2.

Because NertZ was unable to travel to Portugal for Roman Imperium Cup VI, Liquid needed an emergency replacement. The call came unexpectedly when Liquid coach André Piovezan contacted jL during a casual community match and asked whether he could step in for the tournament.

After receiving approval from NAVI and discussing the opportunity with his family, the Lithuanian accepted the offer and joined Liquid for the event.

Despite the last-minute circumstances, jL delivered solid individual performances, posting a 1.24 rating as Liquid advanced to the playoffs following a tight group-stage battle that included a tie with BESTIA for second place.

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Life away from the server

The stand-in appearance marks jL’s first competitive LAN showing since mid-2025, following a lengthy break from professional play. During that time, the Lithuanian focused on personal life and exploring hobbies outside esports.

He described spending more time with his wife, learning new skills such as cooking and drifting cars, and generally enjoying activities that would normally be difficult for a full-time professional player with an intense practice schedule.

Tier-one Counter-Strike requires heavy daily commitment, often involving practice sessions lasting up to 12 hours a day, something jL previously cited as one of the reasons behind his decision to step away from competition.

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Analyst work and staying connected to the scene

While away from active competition, jL has remained involved in the professional ecosystem. One of his most visible roles came as an analyst during IEM Kraków, where he joined the broadcast desk to provide insight into matches and the current meta.

Reflecting on that experience, he admitted that he was initially too critical of himself and learned that his value on broadcast lies in sharing unique perspectives from a player’s viewpoint rather than purely analytical breakdowns.

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Confidence ahead of a potential comeback

Even after months away from top-level competition, jL believes he remains close to peak form. Although he admits he is not performing at the same level as during his standout 2024–2025 seasons, he feels confident that regular play against tier-one opponents would allow him to properly assess his level again.

The Lithuanian was one of the standout players of the previous era, finishing fifth in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of 2024, highlighted by exceptional performances on big stages and strong ratings against elite teams.

For now, his short-term focus remains on enjoying the opportunity to compete again—even in a temporary capacity—while continuing to prepare for a possible return to the highest level of Counter-Strike later this year.