Engin “MAJ3R” Kupeli, the captain of Aurora Gaming`s CS2 team, has addressed the backlash from Turkish fans regarding the acquisition of the former Eternal Fire roster. Fans expressed their discontent after the team`s departure from the Turkish organization.
MAJ3R stated, “Your anger is understandable, and I would likely react similarly. However, due to certain circumstances, the near future for Turkish esports is not very promising, and unfortunately, sponsorship conditions in the country are unsatisfactory. Considering this, we made the best decision for both the team and the organization. I want to be transparent about this. We wish things could have been different, but this move is for the best.”
He continued, “I respect all of you and understand your disappointment. This decision was not easy for us either. Sometimes, difficult choices must be made. I will continue to fight for my dream, for my loved ones, for my children. I experienced similar feelings ten years ago when I played in France. Whether you support this decision or not, listen to your heart and decide for yourselves. ❤️”
On April 5th, Aurora Gaming benched their entire Russian-speaking CS2 roster. Shortly after, the club announced the signing of the former Eternal Fire team. MAJ3R has been with the Turkish organization since 2022, and the core of the team was formed in 2023. Since then, the team has climbed from outside the top 15 to the top 5 in the world rankings.