A heated discussion has erupted within the professional Counter-Strike community following a post by former player Lucas “Bubzkji” Andersen, in which he addressed the risks of fully committing to an esports career without a fallback plan. His post, which focused on the long-term consequences many semi-pro players may face, sparked a strong response from Serbian coach Aleksandar “kassad” Trifunović and ignited wider debate across the scene.
What Did Bubzkji Say?
The former Astralis player urged young gamers to remain realistic about their ambitions and avoid idealizing the path to pro play. He pointed out that many aspiring pros end up “ruining” their lives — lacking education, savings, or work experience — when their dreams don’t materialize.
“Transitioning to the ‘next stage of life’ without savings, experience, or education can be a harsh reality check… Not everyone becomes a streamer or content creator after retirement. That’s the exception, not the norm,” Bubzkji wrote.
There´s too many people who "ruin" their life by trying to go pro. Sure give it a go from Age 10-20, and you can even take a year or two at your parents or living off savings. I even did that
But there's way too many who've "tasted" or seen pro life, and now think it´s feasible…
— Bubzkji (@Bubzkji) July 16, 2025
kassad: “Don’t listen to this garbage”
In response, kassad, former coach of Renegades, 100 Thieves, and Cloud9, didn’t mince words and fired back with criticism:
“Don’t listen to this garbage.
My coaching career started when I was 29. I had no money, no talent, no experience — only hard work. And it paid off.
Chase what makes you happy. Don’t listen to these losers.”
Don't listen to this garbage.
My professional coaching career started when I was 29.
I had NO money, NO talent, ZERO XP, and only HARD WORK, and it paid off. (family, friends, roof over my head, and food on the table)Chase whatever makes you happy, dont listen to these losers https://t.co/LPtKrSd1MC
— Aleksandar Trifunovic (@kassad) July 17, 2025
Bubzkji Responds
Bubzkji replied to kassad’s comment with a more nuanced rebuttal:
“Glad it worked out for you. But you can’t be so out of touch to think your story is normal or achievable for everyone.
The phrase ‘just work hard and you’ll be fine’ may sound motivational, but it’s detached from reality. It’s like winning the lottery and telling everyone else: ‘just buy more tickets.’
Most people work just as hard and achieve nothing — not because they’re lazy, but because life is unfair. Many will still chase their dreams, and that’s why I said you should try in my original post. But don’t dismiss all other options.
Spare us the smug wisdom. I don’t think many people in the world envy your position.”
Community Reactions
The debate between Bubzkji and kassad triggered a wave of responses from industry figures, many of whom backed Bubzkji’s perspective.
Graham Pitt, General Manager of Complexity, supported Bubzkji, saying:
“I would advise 95% of people not to even consider going pro unless they have proper education or serious financial freedom.”
Daniel “ddk” Kapadia, a well-known commentator, added:
“Excellent advice. I usually give similar advice to people. Setting time limits for achieving certain goals — like making a salaried team — is crucial.
You need to have a plan and stick to it, even if you fail. If you haven’t made significant progress or hit your goal within 2–3 years, chances are you won’t have the momentum needed for a breakthrough.”
Conclusion
The conflict between Bubzkji and kassad highlights a deep divide in how to approach a career in esports. Some believe in relentless hard work and self-belief; others argue for realism, structure, and contingency plans. One thing is clear — this conversation has struck a chord with many aspiring players, raising an age-old question: Where is the line between chasing a dream and losing yourself in it?
