Virtus.pro Bench Captain Jame After Five-Year Tenure
Virtus.pro has announced that Dzhami "Jame" Ali, the captain of their Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) roster, has been benched. The decision comes as part of a mutual agreement between the organization and the player to pursue a new direction for the team.
The move ends a five-year collaboration between Jame and Virtus.pro, during which he served as the team’s in-game leader, AWP’er, and captain. Known for his tactical expertise and deliberate playstyle, Jame was a key figure in Virtus.pro’s recent history, including their victory at the 2022 Rio Major under the Outsiders banner.
Statements from Virtus.pro and Jame
Nikolai Petrossian, CEO of Virtus.pro, described the decision as one aimed at fostering change for the organization.
“Jame is a legend of VP and CS in general. Together, we decided that now is the time for change,” Petrossian stated in the official announcement.
Jame also reflected on his time with Virtus.pro in a statement expressing gratitude:
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Virtus.pro, where I spent so many unforgettable years! This was the most successful period of my career, during which I learned a lot, met amazing people, and won significant trophies.”
Both Jame and the organization confirmed that they are open to exploring new opportunities, including potential transfers for the player.
Jame’s Legacy at Virtus.pro
Jame joined Virtus.pro in December 2019 and quickly became the team’s strategic leader. Under his guidance, the team navigated both successes and challenges, including a rebranding to Outsiders during a period when restrictions were imposed on the organization due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The team’s most notable achievement during Jame’s tenure was winning the 2022 Rio Major, a feat that solidified Jame’s reputation as one of Counter-Strike’s most influential leaders.
What’s Next for Virtus.pro and Jame?
The benching of Jame represents a significant shift for Virtus.pro as they look to reconfigure their roster. The team will need to identify a new in-game leader and AWPer, roles that Jame fulfilled with distinction.
For Jame, the future remains open-ended. Given his accolades and strategic acumen, he is expected to garner interest from top-tier teams across the Counter-Strike ecosystem.
Both the organization and the player have emphasized mutual respect in their parting, leaving the door open for a positive transition for both parties.
