Team Liquid’s NAF Withdraws from IEM Kraków 2026; Former BIG Star Krimbo to Stand In

Team Liquid’s NAF Withdraws from IEM Kraków 2026; Former BIG Star Krimbo to Stand In

Team Liquid has confirmed that Keith “NAF” Markovic, one of the organization’s longest-serving CS2 veterans, will not compete at IEM Kraków 2026 due to urgent family matters. The Canadian rifler’s absence comes just days before Liquid’s scheduled opening match in the prestigious Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) event in Kraków, Poland. 

Liquid made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), stating:

“Due to urgent family matters, NAF will not be attending IEM Kraków. Our full support is with him and his family during this time, and we kindly ask that his privacy be respected.” 

In place of NAF, Karim “Krimbo” Moussa — a 23-year-old German rifler — has been called up as a stand-in for the event. Krimbo had been inactive since late 2025 after being benched by BIG, the German organization he had represented for several years. 

What This Means for Liquid at IEM Kraków

Liquid will compete in Stage 1 of IEM Kraków 2026, with their first matchup scheduled against Ninjas in Pyjamas on January 28th. 

The lineup for Liquid at the event will be:

• Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak

• Guy “NertZ” Iluz

• Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek

• Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski

• Karim “Krimbo” Moussa (stand-in)

• Viktor “flashie” Tamás Bea (coach)

Krimbo’s inclusion marks his first competitive appearance since being moved off BIG’s active roster in October 2025, a decision that was part of a broader reshuffle within that team. Since then, he remained a free agent in terms of active competition, despite continuing to train and remain ready. 

NAF’s Legacy and Career Context

Keith “NAF” Markovic is one of Counter-Strike’s most respected players, with a professional career stretching back well over a decade from CS:GO to CS2. At 28 years old, he has been a cornerstone of Team Liquid since 2018, accumulating over $1 million in prize earnings and participating in countless major tournaments. 

NAF is known for his versatility as a rifler and clutch player, consistently delivering high-impact performances in critical rounds. His departure from this event — even for personal reasons — is significant for Liquid, who have struggled with team cohesion and results in recent seasons after numerous roster changes. 

Last year, he openly discussed the challenges facing Liquid, noting struggles with individual form and adapting to shifts in team dynamics as new players joined the roster. Those comments underscored how pivotal he has been — not just statistically, but as a stabilizing presence on the squad. 

Who Is Krimbo?

Karim “Krimbo” Moussa emerged as a promising German talent in Counter-Strike, first gaining prominence around 2022 when he was promoted to BIG’s main roster after performing strongly in trials and qualifiers. 

Over his career, Krimbo has represented several teams, including the BIG Academy and other European squads, before solidifying his reputation on BIG’s main team. As a lurker and rifler, he is known for his smart positioning and tactical awareness. 

Statistically, he has achieved a rating above the CS2 average in his career and has collected hundreds of professional maps played across numerous events, including tournaments with prize earnings nearing $230,000. 

Despite his bench status in recent months, Krimbo’s experience against top European competition and prior LAN appearances make him a credible stand-in option — especially for Liquid, who have been seeking stable performances in international play. 

Community and Competitive Reactions

The news has sparked reaction across the CS2 community. Some fans expressed support for NAF, emphasizing empathy and respect for his personal situation, while others debated how Krimbo’s style and fit with Liquid might impact the team’s performance at the event. 

There has also been speculation — largely fueled by leaked practice server sightings — about what Liquid’s longer-term roster plans might be beyond this event, particularly given the team’s recent experimental builds involving players from multiple regions. However, Team Liquid has stated that Krimbo’s role is temporary, meant solely to cover NAF’s absence until his return to the active roster. 

Looking Ahead

With IEM Kraków 2026 underway, all eyes will be on Liquid to see how they perform with this adjusted lineup. Their campaign starts with a high-profile matchup against Ninjas in Pyjamas, and how Krimbo integrates with the squad could influence discussions around Liquid’s roster decisions going forward.

For now, NAF’s health and family situation is the priority, and the organization has respectfully asked the community to honor his privacy during this challenging time.