Esports organization Aurora Gaming has officially announced the signing of a junior contract with 8-year-old player Sovetov Adil, better known by his nickname ShaLuN. The signing immediately became one of the most talked-about stories in CS2 — both because of the player’s extremely young age and his controversial background.
Who is ShaLuN?
JUST IN: Aurora signed 8 year old talent ShaLun ‼️ pic.twitter.com/nLkk3MoUHL
— Ozzny (@Ozzny_CS2) September 19, 2025
ShaLuN began his esports journey at just 5 and a half years old, guided by his father. His dad helped him not only in the game itself but also in building up his media presence. In a short time, the boy managed to gain recognition thanks to his flashy highlights and even appeared on stage at the PGL Major Astana — a truly unique case for someone his age.
Aurora Gaming’s CEO commented:
ShaLuN is an example that in esports, age doesn’t always matter. We are giving him a team, mentors, and the right ecosystem. And then — who knows: maybe he’ll become the new face of the scene, the kid who lifts trophies and blows up the internet with his media presence.
FACEIT ban and a controversial past
However, the young talent’s career is not without scandals. In February 2025, when ShaLuN was only 7 years old, he received a ban on FACEIT until 2032 for violating the platform’s age restrictions. The case quickly went viral, sparking debates not only about FACEIT’s policies but also about the minimum age for professional play in CS2.
Community reaction: from excitement to accusations of “child labor”
The news of ShaLuN’s signing gathered hundreds of thousands of views and sparked a wave of discussions on Twitter/X.
- Skinflow: “How crazy is this” — over 12k likes.
- MrrWright: “A new age of child labor has begun.”
- Cresty: “Isn’t this child exploitation?” — tagging @ESIC_Official and @SavetheChildren.
- Burak Ceker: “Do the coaches have pedagogical competence? Is there a psychologist working with him?”
Other users reminded everyone about his FACEIT ban, joked that he’d “get banned before he wins a trophy,” or even asked if he would replace XANTARES in Aurora’s roster.
Unresolved questions
ShaLuN’s situation raises several important topics for esports:
- Age restrictions. Can an 8-year-old officially compete in CS2 tournaments, considering PEGI/ESRB ratings and platform rules?
- Ethics. Where is the line between nurturing a talent and exploiting a child for publicity?
- Education and balance. How does Aurora plan to combine school, personal development, and a professional esports schedule?
What’s next?
For now, Aurora presents the signing as an “investment in the future”, emphasizing that the boy will receive the necessary support and mentorship. However, community criticism and questions about age regulations may force the organization to justify its decision more than once.
ShaLuN has already become a symbol of controversy: for some, he is a phenomenal talent and the future of the scene; for others, he is an example of how esports is dangerously blurring the line between childhood and a professional career.
