ISSAA retires from pro Counter-Strike

29-year-old Jordanian esports athlete Issa "ISSAA" Murad has announced his retirement from pro Counter-Strike. Murad has decided to transition to a coaching position and explained his search for a new team as a head coach, assistant coach, or analyst.

It was honestly one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make, because Counter-Strike has been my life for many years.

Over the past months, I took the time to be very honest with myself about where I can bring the most value today. I reflected deeply on my experiences — the pressure moments, playing multiple roles, leading teams, and especially what I learned during periods where I was an IGL.

Through that process, I realized that my impact can now be greater from a coaching role, where building, guiding, and developing players motivates me more than competing myself.

I’ve been that young player once. I know what players feel in crucial moments, how confidence is built and broken, and when the right feedback can make the biggest difference. That understanding only comes from having lived it. Right now, I feel that I can give more to the game as a coach than I can as a player.

One of my long-term goals as a coach is to finish what I couldn’t achieve as a player — to compete for and win the biggest titles, including a Major, but in a different role this time.

ISSAA's last team was JiJiHao, for which he played from 2023 to 2025. Prior to that, he also represented Eternal Fire, OG, HellRaisers, and other clubs. Over the course of his pro Counter-Strike career, which began in 2016, he has earned $223,000 in prizes.

Origin: x.com