French Counter-Strike player Ali «hAdji» Haïnouss has announced his retirement from professional competition at the age of 30, bringing an end to a playing career that began in 2015. Cybersport In reports, citing HLTV, that hAdji does not plan to leave Counter-Strike entirely and is open to continuing his career in a staff role.
The French player confirmed his decision on social media, saying that after years of dedication and pursuing his goals, the time had come to step away from professional play. At the same time, hAdji stressed that his passion for Counter-Strike and competition remains unchanged.
hAdji began his professional Counter-Strike career in 2015 and later became one of the recognizable players of the French scene. One of the key stages of his early career came with Envy, where he progressed from the academy roster to the main team in February 2018.
Over the following years, Haïnouss represented a number of French and international organizations, including LDLC, 3DMAX, Falcons and Monte. hAdji played for Ukrainian esports organization Monte during two separate periods, initially joining the team as a stand-in in 2024 before returning to the roster in 2025.
One of the best LAN results of his career came with Envy at the CS Asia Championships 2018, where the French team finished in 3rd–4th place. According to HLTV statistics, hAdji played more than 1,900 recorded maps during his professional career and earned over $102,000 in prize money.
After leaving 3DMAX in March 2024, hAdji continued competing with several international lineups. He later represented DRILLAS before joining the organization-less illwill project alongside Ukrainian player Woro2k in October 2025.
His most recent appearance came in July 2026, when hAdji represented Morocco in the Esports Nations Cup open qualifier. The roster, which also included ScreaM and Nivera, won the qualifier.
Despite retiring as a player, hAdji is not saying goodbye to esports. The 30-year-old is ready to consider opportunities on a Counter-Strike team’s staff, where he could use the experience accumulated over more than a decade of professional competition.
hAdji’s retirement marks the end of another long-running career from the French Counter-Strike scene, although his next chapter may still keep him closely involved with the competitive game.
