NEKIZ returns to paiN Gaming's starting roster, replacing PKL

The Brazilian eSports organization paiN Gaming has announced changes to the starting lineup for the CS:GO discipline. As a result, the team leaves PKL, who takes a long break for personal reasons. His place in the main clip will go to NEKIZ, who has been inactive since July last year.

In his address, PKL cited personal, family, physiological and psychological issues as reasons why he had to take a break. The Brazilian player said he would talk to a psychologist and also undergo physical therapy to resolve his spinal problem during his "rest".

Recall that PKL was the captain of paiN Gaming for four years. During this time, the 28-year-old Brazilian player became the winner of CLUTCH LA League Season 1, DreamHack Open January 2021: North America, BLAST Premier: Spring American Showdown 2022, ESL Challenger League Season 41: North America, ESL Challenger at DreamHack Melbourne 2022 and CBCS Invitational 2022, and also took part in PGL Major Stockholm 2021 and Intel Extreme Masters XVII - Cologne.

In turn, NEKIZ has been part of the team since November 2019. However, the 27-year-old left the starting XI last summer and was then loaned out to O PLANO. However, in recent months, NEKIZ has been effectively out of work.

The decision to change the team comes after an unsuccessful performance at the Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2023, where paiN Gaming suffered two defeats and took the last place.

The debut of the updated team roster will take place as part of the CCT North America Series 3 playoffs. In addition, the Brazilian team continues to play in the ESL Challenger League Season 44: North America, and is also preparing for the start of the closed qualifier for IEM Brazil 2023 and the group stage of the ESL Pro League season 17.

The updated paiN Gaming CS:GO roster:

• biguzera
• hardzao⁠
• ⁠skullz⁠
• ⁠zevy
• ⁠NEKIZ⁠
• ⁠rikz (head coach)
• bruno (assistant coach)
• PKL (inactive)