jL Registered as NAVI’s Substitute for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

jL Registered as NAVI’s Substitute for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

Former Natus Vincere CS2 starter Justinas “jL” Lekavicius has officially been registered as NAVI’s substitute for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, according to updated tournament documentation reported by several esports outlets.

Although jL has remained on NAVI’s bench since stepping away from active competition in July, the organization opted to list him as their sixth player for the upcoming Major. His presence provides the team with an experienced, Major-winning backup should roster adjustments be required mid-event.

NAVI’s Roster for Budapest

NAVI will field the same starting five they used in recent tournaments:

Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen

Mihai “iM” Ivan

Valerii “b1t” Vakhovskyi

Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov

Drin “makazze” Shaqiri

Lithuanian rifler jL is registered as the official substitute.

The roster change stems from early July 2025, when jL requested a personal break from tier-one competition. NAVI moved him to the inactive list and promoted academy player makazze to the main lineup.

Thanks to their ranking and recent results, NAVI will begin their Major campaign directly from the Legends Stage, bypassing the opening phase.

Overview of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

Dates: 24 November – 14 December 2025

Location: Budapest, Hungary

Early stages: MTK Sportpark

Playoffs: MVM Dome

Teams: 32

Prize Pool: $1,250,000

This tournament is the fourth CS2 Major and the second in 2025. It features the traditional three-stage format—Opening, Legends, and Champions. Notably, the event will conclude with the first best-of-five grand final in Major history.

In preparation for the event, Valve released a dedicated Budapest Major update, which introduced the Viewer Pass, Pick’Em, new team and player autograph stickers, and a new cosmetic feature called Sticker Slab that allows players to display stickers without permanently applying them to a weapon.

How jL Became NAVI’s Substitute

Stepping Away from Tier-One

On 8 July 2025, NAVI announced that jL had personally requested a break to focus on his well-being. The organization stated that while reviewing roster improvement options, the player expressed a desire to step back from the intense competitive schedule.

In a detailed video message, jL explained that he no longer felt the same joy from the tier-one grind, noting he wasn’t happy with how he felt “about the game and about [himself].” He estimated he would take around six months away from top-level play and try new things in life.

Despite stepping down, he remained listed as a benched player within NAVI’s system, keeping the door open for a future return.

Still One of the Scene’s Top Performers

jL’s temporary withdrawal followed the peak of his career:

He played a crucial role in NAVI’s victory at PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024, securing the Major MVP award.

He earned 5th place in the HLTV Top 20 Players of 2024 ranking—his first appearance on the list.

This combination of accolades makes him one of the most decorated substitutes entering the Budapest Major.

jL on His Future – Key Quotes

Even after stepping back from active play, jL has repeatedly clarified that he is not retiring.

“It may look like I retired, but that’s not the case”

In an August 2025 update, he stated that while it may seem he has left professional play behind, he has not. Instead, he wants to spend time streaming, creating content, and interacting with fans—activities that the tier-one lifestyle previously made impossible.

He thanked supporters for standing by him during this “new chapter,” saying he felt strong community backing while temporarily stepping away from LAN pressure.

Thoughts on Future Events: Astana vs. Dallas

In another interview, jL discussed the 2026 tournament landscape, predicting that PGL Astana 2026 could become a higher priority for teams than IEM Dallas, largely due to travel convenience. He added that many teams attended Dallas in 2025 mainly because that season’s Major was already hosted in North America.

Supporting NAVI From the Sidelines

After NAVI’s early exit at the Esports World Cup 2025, jL publicly encouraged his former teammates, writing that “next time they’ll come back stronger.”

His willingness to step aside voluntarily—and his consistent support afterward—has been widely praised by fans as a sign of loyalty and professionalism.

Other Notable Substitutes at the Budapest Major

NAVI is not the only team registering significant sixth players:

Falcons: Szymon “kRaSnaL” Mrozek

Ninjas in Pyjamas: Pavle “maden” Bošković

The MongolZ: Unudelger “controlez” Baasanjargal, with the option to replace Senzu

Several teams opted not to register a player substitute, relying on their coaches instead.

Analysts noted that NAVI and Falcons stand out because they listed main-roster-caliber players as substitutes, unlike other teams that elevated academy talent or skipped the substitute slot entirely.

What This Means for NAVI

Registering jL as the sixth man:

• Provides NAVI with a Major-winning rifler in case of emergencies.

• Maintains the relationship between the organization and the player during his personal break.

• Adds intrigue to the tournament—any NAVI struggles may spark speculation about a surprise jL appearance.

For now, though, the plan is clear: makazze will remain the starter, while jL stays on the bench—officially part of the roster for one of the biggest CS2 events of the year.