Astralis roster update: HooXi/jabbi are very disappointed that they cannot participate despite having worked hard to earn a Major spot.

Astralis has officially announced that HooXi and jabbi have been moved out of the active lineup:

Sometimes you need to close one chapter completely to make room for something new. Astralis is one of the most successful brands in CS history, built by an iconic Danish lineup that gave all of us fans memories to last a lifetime. That is a true legacy we will always be proud of. However, it is time to turn the page. As part of this step in a new direction, we have jointly decided that, from today, Astralis will continue its journey without HooXi and jabbi, whose contracts expire at the end of the year. I would like to sincerely thank them for their hard work and dedication in becoming part of the Astralis story—especially for recently helping us secure our first LAN title since 2019. The esports journey is only just beginning, and it is not legacy alone that shapes the future, but dynasties. Real Madrid won five European Cups in the 1950s, four Champions League titles in the 2010s, and added another two in recent years. The Lakers had iconic periods of success in the 1950s, 2000s, and 2020, while the Yankees built their legend in the 1930s, 1950s, and 1990s. Esports will undoubtedly endure just as long, and our roster and strategic changes stem from a desire for genuine longevity.

Astralis is still Astralis. We are here, right now, at the very heart of esports—still among CS's elite and doing everything we can to reclaim our place as contenders for this game's biggest trophies. Jans Grrdersen

HooXi: I’m no longer part of Astralis’ active roster because we couldn’t agree on the terms of a contract extension. It hurts to work so hard to qualify for the Major and then not be able to play in it. My contract expires at the end of the year, but I can also leave earlier as a free agent.

It’s hard to put into words how disappointed I am that I won’t be able to attend the Major we worked toward all season.I’m proud of the effort I put in at Astralis and the highs we achieved. A huge thank you to all the players and coaching staff.

ryu: Thank you for everything you did. It has always been an honor, and it’s a shame it had to end. You put the team before yourself, made everyone feel comfortable on the server, and gave everything for the win. All the best—I hope to see you again soon.

phzy: Thank you for everything, Rasmus. I really appreciate the time we spent together. Good luck—I’m sure I’ll see you on the server again soon.

jabbi: Astralis and I have mutually agreed to part ways when my contract expires in November, with each of us pursuing a different path. Not being able to see it through and play the Major we fought for alongside the boys really hurts, but I’m glad we ended things on a high by lifting the trophy in Barcelona. I’ll enter the off-season as a free agent and am very excited to begin a new journey. 🙏 Thank you, Astralis, for the memories.

HooXi replied to jabbi: “I’m very grateful that our paths crossed again. You’re one of my favorite players and friends to fight alongside. All the best, Jabber.”

While the players expressed their disappointment relatively mildly, fans in China and abroad were furious at Astralis' ruthless roster move. The players who had worked to lead the team to the Major were benched before it began and will likely miss out on stickers. Fans flooded Astralis' official X replies with criticism: