Legendary player s1mple has been out of active competition for over a year now, but discussions surrounding his name haven’t stopped. A new wave of speculation was sparked by an interview with former NAVI captain Boombl4, in which he hinted at hidden reasons behind the AWPer’s inactivity. Well-known commentator launders shared this interview on his X profile, adding a sharp comment of his own that immediately triggered a wave of reactions in the community. At the center of it all is the IEM Sydney 2023 tournament, which marked a turning point in s1mple’s career, and the uncertainty surrounding his potential return to the professional CS scene.
Boombl4 on the s1mple and NAVI Situation
In a recent interview shared in a post by renowned commentator and analyst launders on X, former NAVI IGL Boombl4 revealed that he knows the real reasons behind s1mple’s absence and his relationship with the team — but he can’t reveal everything publicly.
“I know what happened with s1mple and NAVI, but I can’t say everything. I’m sure he would like to come back. But for now, it’s not possible because of the contract and the situation that happened there. He didn’t go to a tournament, and that’s where it all started.” – BOOMBL4
This suggests that there were internal issues or conflicts that have not been disclosed. It’s also worth noting that Boombl4 himself went through similar challenges in the past, having been removed from NAVI’s active roster due to “high reputational risks” for the organization — reportedly tied to personal matters and public controversies.
READ MORE: s1mple close to FURIA — sensational rumors from Brazil about the CS legend’s transfer
From Sydney to Silence: What’s Keeping s1mple Off the Server
Boombl4 also suggested that s1mple wanted to return to pro play, but the situation became more complicated due to contractual obligations and what happened in October 2023. At that time, s1mple unexpectedly refused to travel to the Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023 tournament, which marked the beginning of his extended break from competition.
There has been speculation that his withdrawal may have been due to personal circumstances or travel-related issues such as visa complications. What’s more, NAVI continued competing without s1mple, which may have influenced his stance on returning to the team.
Launders’ Harsh Take on the Situation. In his post, launders commented on the situation in blunt terms:
“bro dipped on sydney on short notice for undisclosed reasons (the team was ass), dropped ‘play like s1mple’ for a few bucks and then watched NAVI win a major without him. Would have been nice to have a proper retirement out of the CS:GO GOAT.”
This comment sparked widespread discussion in the community, as many consider s1mple one of the greatest CS:GO players of all time and expected a more proper, official farewell to his legendary career.
“I think he’ll come back, but will be nowhere nearly competitive.” – SyDuk
“Retire? Wtf! He’s still better than most of the t1 awpers” – Aryan7n
Will we see s1mple back on the pro scene?
Right now, s1mple’s future remains uncertain — there’s no official confirmation of a return, although more and more indirect signs suggest that he wants to come back. The big question is whether circumstances will allow it, and whether a return to NAVI is even possible.
To recap, s1mple was benched by NAVI in October 2023, taking a break that has now lasted nearly a year. While a return initially seemed likely, NAVI’s later success — including a Major win in Copenhagen — prompted the team to stick with their current lineup. As for other potential teams, the buyout price for such a superstar proved too high for any organization to afford.
