The world of esports has been shaken by a scandal involving former NAVI captain Danylo “Zeus” Teslenko, who found himself in the middle of a controversy that quickly went global. His romantic involvement with a Chinese student during the Shanghai Major 2024 not only sparked widespread discussion but also led to real-life consequences — the student was expelled from her university after their relationship was publicly exposed.
Incident Details: Romance, Telegram, and the “Eazy Girl” Post
According to Chinese social media and multiple English-language translations, Zeus had an intimate relationship with a 21-year-old student from Dalian University of Technology during his stay in Shanghai in December 2024. He was attending the Shanghai Major as an honorary guest for an exhibition match on stage. It was during this time, based on eyewitness accounts and chat logs, that the relationship began.
The biggest controversy erupted from Zeus’s own behavior. On his private Telegram (or possibly Discord — sources vary), Zeus publicly shared fragments of the affair and mockingly labeled the student as “Eazy girl,” igniting a wave of outrage. Videos and screenshots spread rapidly across the Chinese CS scene, triggering an intense reaction not just within China, but across global esports communities.
🔥大连工业大学学生李欣莳因与前CS职业选手Zeus的不雅事件被开除学籍！
👉https://t.co/bRgFOnVlCs 🔍“李欣莳” pic.twitter.com/4J9pA6O3h3— 狼图腾 (@58cB4AdDMjKCsOJ) July 13, 2025
University Crackdown: Official Expulsion for “Damaging Reputation”
On July 8, 2025, Dalian University of Technology issued an official statement announcing the expulsion of the student (referred to in sources as Li XX). University officials cited “serious negative consequences” to the institution’s reputation caused by her actions. The statement also claimed that she had actively pursued a relationship with a foreigner despite having a boyfriend, and that it was the public release of intimate content that triggered the public scandal.
The decision sparked controversy within China itself. Some condemned the student for “immoral conduct,” while others harshly criticized the university for placing all the blame on the woman, while the older public figure — 16 years her senior — appeared to face no consequences.
Community Reaction: Shock, Disappointment, Memes, and Outrage
The global CS community responded swiftly and vocally. On Reddit, Twitter, Bilibili, and Weibo, users shared a wide range of emotions — from disbelief and betrayal to sarcasm and dark humor.
- “He was MARRIED HUH????” — one of the most upvoted comments on Reddit, echoing the surprise of hundreds.
- “And his wife was so supportive when he got kicked from NAVI. What a disgrace… an absolute failure of a man.”
Some users clarified that Zeus had likely divorced as early as 2011 after the birth of his daughter. One particularly viral comment claimed that he separated from his wife because she allegedly killed his favorite cat. The reactions escalated quickly:
- “She did what??”
- “No-scoped Zeus’s favorite cat.”
While the memes spread, the underlying sentiment was clear: many fans felt deeply disappointed in someone they once admired as a disciplined leader and symbol of old-school NAVI values.
I was sitting in the arena at the Shanghai Major finals, telling my family how much of a legend this guy used to be. And now this. It just doesn’t make sense.
女大学生约老外的处罚来了！！！
还记得去年，21岁女大学生在有男朋友的情况下，还主动约乌克兰的已婚已育cs选手Zeus，后被Zeus曝光他们的亲密视频，引发了国内外的热议。
没想到这个事在今年迎来了后续。
7月8日，大连工业大学发布公告，因为女大学生李某某造成的恶劣的负面影响，将对其开除学籍处 pic.twitter.com/6qynxb0mSQ— 舞吧🇨🇳池威 (@wubachiwei1) July 12, 2025
A Moral Crisis Around a CS Icon
Zeus is not just a former pro player. He led NAVI during their golden era, won a Major with Gambit, and later founded his own organization, Pro100, with a mission to develop young talent. His autobiography, public lectures, and interviews built an image of a disciplined veteran with strong values.
That’s why this incident is more than just internet gossip. For long-time fans, it feels like a personal betrayal — the fall of a legend. Nostalgia turns into disillusionment when the person you once looked up to openly disrespects his platform and audience.
Zeus Responds: “I Didn’t Realize It Could Have Consequences”
After a period of silence, Zeus finally addressed the situation on his official X (Twitter) account:
About six months ago, I posted a few videos on Telegram with a girl I met in Shanghai.
Our faces were visible, but there was no explicit content or anything disrespectful in those videos.At the time, it felt like just a normal moment from life. I didn’t realize it could affect…
— Zeus ✌️ (@ZeusCSGO) July 13, 2025
The statement does not include an apology, nor does it acknowledge the consequences faced by the student. Some in the community view it as belated and insufficient. Others interpret it as an attempt to protect his public image without taking genuine responsibility.
What Comes Next?
The situation continues to evolve, but for now, the consequences have fallen solely on the student. However, the wave of backlash surrounding Zeus is only gaining momentum. Unless he issues a public explanation soon, this story may become a defining case of moral collapse within the esports world — a space still struggling to find the balance between celebrity, ethics, and privacy.
