Former Counter-Strike professional player and streamer Malek ‘maleK’ Bennouioua has passed away, the French Counter-Strike community has confirmed. The father of two was 35-years-old at the time of his passing.
The news of the player’s passing has led to dozens of tributes from the French CS community and beyond, celebrating his impact on their lives and on the esports scene, where he was described as “one of the pillars of the French CS scene throughout all those years” by French CS reporter Guillaume ‘neL’ Canelo.
French esports community celebrates maleK after news of his passing breaks
The confirmation of maleK’s passing was initially shared by a friend of the player and member of the French Counter-Strike scene, X user @TheNextPharaon, who posted the following (translated):
“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we shall return.
Our brother Malek, better known by the handle MalekCSGO, passed away today. Please offer as many prayers (dua) for him as possible; may Allah open the gates of Paradise for him, Insha’Allah.”
The player is believed to have passed away in the early hours of September 27.
The news of the player’s passing triggered an outpouring of stunned grief and reverence, as the French community celebrated the player’s impact in their lives.
Several notably players and former-pros posted on social media in honor of maleK, including French legends Vitality IGL Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire and Richard ‘shox’ Papillon who posted (translated):
“I don’t have the words, I can’t believe it.
20 years I’d known him, memories from PxL to a restaurant we went to together just 1 year ago, he was a dad..
I beg you, don’t stay alone when things aren’t okay, I wish I’d known to help him, damn it
Tears are streaming down my face this morning, I can’t even imagine what the family is going through.. all my condolences”
Former Aurora and Eternal Fire captain, Engin ‘MAJ3R’ Küpel, shared the following message (translated):
“We loved you too, beautiful man. We lost Malek last night. Throughout my career in France, our paths crossed many times; there was always love and respect between us in every conversation. He was just 35 years old, like me. He always spoke beautifully about us and approached the Turkish community with love.
May God have mercy on him, brother. We will never forget you.”
Former 3DMAX, LDLC, and Team Falcons coach Steeve ‘Ozstrik3r’ Flavigni posted the following tribute to maleK (translated):
“Like you, I learned tonight, around 3 a.m., about Malek CSGO’s passing. I couldn’t fall back asleep after that.
And even as I write these words, I’m still struggling to grasp that this could be real.
Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves that everything we do here—Internet, social networks, video games… in the end, all of it holds very little importance in the face of this kind of tragedy.
The only thing that matters today is that Malek is gone and that he leaves behind two children. I think of them with all my heart, as well as their mother and all his loved ones.
It’s been 25 years since I’ve been part of the Counter-Strike community. And every time a tragedy strikes one of our own, it hits me deeply. Because behind the usernames, the debates, the matches, and the networks, there are real brothers who share the same passion, people who are part of our daily lives…
Rest in peace, Malek.”
French content creators and reporters neL and Sébastien ‘KRL’ Perez echoed that human element, sharing messages online in honor of his passing.
neL honored maleK as “one of the pillars of the French CS scene throughout all those years” and “a true loyalist to the community,” urging his followers to “Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Never hesitate to speak up when things aren’t okay.”
Share your ideas for her new kit with us on the Insider Gaming Discord.
And for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Darragh is an Esports Journalist for Insider Gaming specialising in Counter-Strike. He loves to explore how esports teams work, or why they very often do not.
More from Darragh Harbinson
Comments