Giant Gaming’s in-game leader, Emir “rhyme” Muminovic, is retiring as a professional Valorant player to focus on his studies
The 24-year-old in-game leader for the EMEA squad Giants Gaming has decided to step down from professional Valorant to focus on his studies, the organization announced. As a result, he won’t be playing for the team in the 2024 VCT season, and the roster will be searching for a new IGL.
👤Statement regarding our VCT roster for 2024.#WeAreGiants #VCTEMEA pic.twitter.com/4B2jNV6zSW
— Giants (@GiantsGamingENG) September 6, 2023
After competing in CSGO, rhyme started his journey in professional Valorant with Ninjas in Pyjamas in 2020. Before joining Giants at the end of 2022, he was a substitute for FunPlus Phoenix’s European roster.
Giants’ journey this year was empty of any significant achievements, except for winning the LCQ to secure a spot at Champions 2023. The top 16 finish at LOCK//IN was the team’s best run at a global event.
Credit: Riot Games
The IGLing skill of rhyme didn’t fly under the radar, though, as he was able to help his team secure the Playoffs of the EMEA League as well as dominate in the EMEA LCQ, even defeating NAVI in the Grand Final. As a Controller player, his experience helped the team reach far in their first franchised league. There was no mention of when he would return to professional gaming.
With rhyme leaving the squad, these are the remaining players of Giants Gaming –
- Adolfo “Fit1nho” Gallego
- Kirill “Cloud” Nehozhin
- Aaro “hoody” Peltokangas
- Žygimantas “nukkye” Chmieliauskas
- Daniil “pipsoN” Mesheryakov (Head coach)
