Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo — a legend of Brazilian CS and one of the most influential figures in Counter-Strike history — shared candid thoughts about his future during IEM Cologne 2025. In an honest conversation with journalists, the two-time Major champion admitted that he plans to keep playing until the end of the year, but also made it clear that he’s enjoying his current run with FURIA and isn’t ruling out extending his career beyond December.
“I’ll play until December, and then we’ll see”
In a short post-match interview at IEM Cologne 2025, FalleN spoke more openly than ever before about the end of his professional career. His words came calmly, without dramatic pauses, but they carried significant weight:
At some point, I’ll have to step down. For now, I’m going to play until December.
For a player who has been one of Counter-Strike’s defining figures for over a decade, this sounded almost like an acknowledgment that the end of an era is approaching. Yet he didn’t speak with a tone of finality. On the contrary, in the following sentences, FalleN added an important remark:
I’m enjoying it a lot. So maybe I’m going to see some personal things in life and I can play more.
That “maybe” became a key word for fans — it means no final decision has been made. He’s playing, he’s happy with the team, but he understands that a time is coming when he’ll need to evaluate his own strength and balance between the game and his personal life. His tone sounded more like open reflection than a farewell tour announcement — and that leaves the community hopeful for more.
FalleN – the Professor who changed the game
FalleN is a two-time Major champion who lifted Brazilian Counter-Strike to the very top. His victories with Luminosity Gaming and SK Gaming in 2016–2017 ushered in a “golden era” for Brazil. His style — a mix of AWP mastery, leadership, and strategic thinking — earned him the nickname “Professor.”
After that came MIBR, and in 2023 — the move to FURIA Esports, where he became not only an AWPer but also a mentor for the younger generation.
Community reaction: from tears to memes
Social media instantly exploded with comments — ranging from sadness to humor. Here’s what fans and notable users wrote on X (Twitter):
- @CSGO500: “rip to another legend soon ”
- Steven James: “Time is undefeated. FalleN will never be forgotten. Amazing player.”
- @melonballsaxx: “coldzera still kicking tho ”
- Darius: “FURIA lux? might as well get latto and dumau and it will be absolute CINEMA”
- @k_azemi: “true legend”
- @ka1sel59: “There is only 1 right choice for them if this guy gon step down: – fallen + biguzera”
- @yvngrapharx: “Hey Fallen, we’re good bro. You can go lux is here”
Among the comments are sad ones (“rip to another legend soon”), humorous takes (“coldzera still kicking tho”), and even talk of future transfers (“+biguzera”).
Belief in the team and the future
Despite talks about retirement, FalleN’s words are full of belief in his current team. He praised FURIA’s refreshed roster, applauding the new signings and hinting that this lineup could achieve even more:
I’m very happy with the new pickups and um I think we can go much further.
This isn’t just a captain’s polite statement — he truly sees potential. Even after the disappointing showing at IEM Cologne, he didn’t give up and added:
It’s just a shame that didn’t happen here, but we’re going to make it work.
Here you can hear echoes of the classic FalleN — the same leader who once took Luminosity and SK Gaming to the very top. He knows the team needs time, victories, and confidence, and even if he does step away at the end of the year, he wants to leave behind a foundation FURIA can continue to build on.
What’s next for “Professor CS”?
The biggest question everyone is asking: what comes next? While he named December 2025 as the point until which he plans to play, FalleN’s words carried a sense of openness to change. He made it clear he still loves the game and is ready to keep going if he finds the right balance between competition and his personal life.
At the same time, he’s repeatedly mentioned that when he does step away, he won’t disappear from the scene. The options for his future are obvious:
- Coaching. As a strategist and motivator, he’d be an ideal mentor for young rosters.
- Academy or development projects. FalleN has long expressed his desire to create space for the next wave of Brazilian talent.
- Media and casting. His charisma and authority could easily make him the voice of the Brazilian CS scene.
He put it more simply himself:
I can play more.
And those words left an air of intrigue. Perhaps December 2025 won’t be a final period — but only a comma in his story.
The end of an era – or just a new chapter?
FalleN’s words became a signal that a major era in CS is nearing its end. But at the same time, they leave room for another scenario: maybe the “Professor” will stay with us for another year, or return in a new role.
One thing is certain — the CS scene will never be the same after the day he truly decides to put a period at the end of his legendary career.
