Rhyme retires from VALORANT professional scene

Professional esports players’ careers don’t usually last many years. Hence, they try to make the most of every opportunity at the highest competitive level. However, many players hang up the mouse/keyboard/controller at a young age for different reasons.

In this opportunity, we have Giants Gaming’s IGL, Emir “rhyme” Muminovic, announcing his retirement as an active player for the reason that, without a doubt, we rarely see. According to rhyme, his retirement is related to his studies, as the player wants to focus on his professional training.

This is unexpected news for the team’s fans, as rhyme has been in the Esports scene for many years. However, it is a big and important step that he decide to focus on his studies when he is still very young (24 years old).

Giants announces rhyme’s retirement

Through an official statement on their X/Twitter account, Giants Gaming announced the retirement of their former IGL, rhyme, from the VALORANT pro scene. As mentioned, the statement makes mention that rhyme is retiring because he wants to devote all his time to the studios.

👤Statement regarding our VCT roster for 2024.#WeAreGiants #VCTEMEA pic.twitter.com/4B2jNV6zSW

— Giants (@GiantsGamingENG) September 6, 2023

This leaves the VALORANT lineup without a very important player, without its IGL, and, above all, without its captain. As a result, the organization is searching for a player who can fill the shoes of the 24-year-old Norwegian.

About rhyme

Rhyme started his esports journey in CS:GO several years ago, but with the launch of VALORANT in 2020, the player decided to jump to Riot’s shooter to play under the NiP banner.

After almost two years in the organization, he signed for Gen.G Esports at the end of 2021, but his stint was unsuccessful, as in August 2022, the player became a substitute for FunPlus Phoenix.

Finally, rhyme arrives at Giants in November 2022 with the mission to lead this team during the first season of the VCT franchise era.

Giants performed very well this season even though they failed to lift or win any championship titles. However, it is worth noting that the team was crowned in the VCT LCQ EMEA to secure a spot in the VCT Champions 2023. However, Giants’ best performance at the international level was TOP 16 at the VCT LOCK//IN Sao Paulo 2023.

Similarly, rhyme’s ability as IGL in Giants was always in the spotlight, as he was one of the fundamental pillars for the team’s successes. Thanks to rhyme, Giants played in the VCT EMEA League playoffs and won the LCQ, where they defeated NaVi in the Grand Final.

Header: Colin Young-Wolff | Riot Games