Natus Vincere, the Ukrainian esports powerhouse better known as NAVI, has confirmed that Justinas “jL” Lekavicius is officially a free agent following the expiration of his contract in early July 2025. The 26-year-old Lithuanian rifler, who earned MVP honors at one of Counter-Strike’s biggest events, is now free to negotiate with any organization he chooses.

jL spent part of 2025 on loan to MOUZ before ultimately being benched by NAVI, a sequence that suggests the relationship had run its course well before the paperwork expired.

From Major MVP to the open market

jL joined NAVI in June 2023 and wasted very little time proving his value. His tenure coincided with one of the most decorated stretches in the organization’s already storied history.

The crown jewel was the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, where jL was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

That Major victory was part of a broader run that included wins at IEM Rio 2024, ESL Pro League Season 20, and the Esports World Cup 2024.

NAVI has competed in every CS:GO and CS2 Major ever held, making the organization one of the sport’s true constants.

What went wrong in 2025

The loan to MOUZ earlier in 2025 was the first visible sign that jL’s future with NAVI was uncertain. Loan deals in esports function similarly to those in traditional sports: the player competes under a different banner while remaining contractually tied to the original organization.

Being benched after returning from that loan paints a clearer picture. NAVI had moved on strategically, even if the contract technically hadn’t.

The expiration now makes things clean for both sides. NAVI avoids the complexity of a buyout negotiation, and jL enters the market with no strings attached.