YEKINDAR: “Being a Captain Is a Completely Ungrateful Role” in CS2

FURIA Esports rifler Mareks Gaļinskis (YEKINDAR) shared his thoughts on the responsibilities of an in-game leader in Counter-Strike during a recent Twitch stream, describing the captain role as “completely ungrateful” and highlighting the heavy workload that comes with leading a team in professional CS2.

The Latvian player explained that being the captain or IGL in Counter-Strike requires far more than simply playing matches. According to YEKINDAR, team leaders are expected to dedicate extra hours of preparation and analysis every single day, which often goes unnoticed compared to their teammates’ performances in official matches.

YEKINDAR Explains Why the Captain Role Is Difficult

Speaking during the broadcast, YEKINDAR emphasized that leadership in Counter-Strike comes with constant pressure and limited recognition.

“The captain role is generally a very ungrateful one. You need to work extra hours every day,” YEKINDAR said on stream.

In professional Counter-Strike teams, the captain—commonly called the in-game leader (IGL)—is responsible for calling strategies, adapting tactics mid-round, and coordinating teammates. Beyond gameplay, captains usually review demos, analyze opponents, and develop team structure ahead of tournaments.

This workload can often impact an IGL’s individual performance, since they must split their focus between fragging and strategic leadership.

Leadership Pressure in Modern CS2 Teams

YEKINDAR’s comments reflect a broader trend in the Counter-Strike scene, where the IGL role is widely considered one of the most demanding positions in the game.

Veteran captains such as Gabriel Toledo (FalleN), Finn Andersen (karrigan), and Casper Møller (cadiaN) have repeatedly spoken about the mental pressure that comes with leading a top-tier roster.

Unlike star riflers who primarily focus on mechanics and positioning, captains must constantly:

Call mid-round decisions

Manage team communication

Study opponent tendencies

Build tactical playbooks for upcoming events

Because of these responsibilities, many top fraggers hesitate to take on the IGL role full-time.

YEKINDAR’s Career Context

YEKINDAR currently competes for FURIA Esports, one of the leading organizations in the Counter-Strike scene. The Latvian rifler previously played for Team Liquid, where he temporarily assumed more leadership responsibilities during certain roster periods.

His experience with tactical discussions and leadership duties likely shaped his perspective on how demanding the captain role can be in professional Counter-Strike.

Why the IGL Role Is Often “Ungrateful”

In the modern CS2 ecosystem, captains frequently receive disproportionate criticism when results decline, while standout individual performances from teammates tend to receive most of the praise.

For many teams, the IGL becomes the central figure responsible for:

tactical success or failure

roster synergy

strategic preparation before events

As YEKINDAR’s comments suggest, the role requires constant behind-the-scenes work, yet it rarely brings the same recognition as top fragging performances.