TACO to miss the Major: I need to take care of myself

Epitacio “TACO” de Melo, the 2x Major winner and member of 00Nation, will be missing the upcoming RMR and Paris Major, according to a statement he released on TwitLonger. In the statement, TACO explained that he needed to take care of himself and make decisions about his future, which remains uncertain even to himself.

Despite this, TACO made it clear that he is not leaving 00Nation or the game of CS:GO, but rather taking time to recover and focus on his personal growth. He expressed happiness at the team’s recent success in qualifying for the EPL playoffs, and emphasized that Counter-Strike is still his passion.

“Unfortunately, I won't be attending the RMR and consequently the Paris Major. My future is uncertain even to myself and I'm taking the necessary time to recover and decide about my next steps.

This doesn't mean I'm leaving ZeroZero or that I'm leaving CSGO, but that I'm taking care of myself, improving, and learning, so I can direct not only my life to the right place but any decision that I will have to take in the future regarding my career.

I want you to know that I'm very happy with the team qualifying for the EPL playoffs. I'm not watching the matches (only few of them) but even far away I'll always be happy for their success.

Counter-Strike is my passion and will always be, but now I need to take care of myself.

I'm very grateful for all the messages and love I'm receiving lately and I can't describe how important it is.

Thank you.”

TACO’s decision to take a break from competitive play is not uncommon in the esports industry, where burnout and mental health issues are becoming increasingly prevalent. Many professional players have spoken about the importance of taking breaks and prioritizing mental health to perform at their best.

Fans of TACO and 00Nation expressed their support for the player on social media, with many sending messages of love and encouragement. TACO himself thanked his fans for their support, saying that it was "very important" to him.

It remains to be seen what TACO’s future hold for him, but for now, the player’s health and well-being are the top priority.