Boombl4’s removal from NAVI roster didn’t come as a surprise. Will the community blame his wife for it?
NAVI has announced the removal of Kirill "Boombl4" Mikhailov from their active roster. The organization named "high reputational risks" as a reason for the removal. The news came in a post on the official Natus Vincere website.
Boombl4 attracted reputational risks to NAVI
Less than a week after playing in the PGL Major Antwerp, NAVI made a short official announcement stating that club excluded Kirill "BoombI4" Mikhailov from CS:GO roster.
"This decision is related to high reputational risks for the club, and it is not the result of his game.
We thank BoombI4 for his three years with NAVI and his dedication and contribution to the victory at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021, Intel Grand Slam 3 and other major championships".
During NAVI times Boombl4 earned more than $1 mil. He won PGL Major Stockholm 2021, BLAST Premier: World Final 2021, Intel Extreme Masters XVI. And also Boombl4 received Intel Grand Slam's prize at the end of Season 3.
Boombl4's kick from NAVI didn't come as a surprise
The first time NAVI's CEO mentioned such a possibility at the end of the march, after one month after Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"We are not going to work with people who live in Russia and who pay taxes to the Russian Federation", - stated Yevhen Zolotarov in an interview for the Washington Post.
But there is the chance that not only Boombl4's nationality became a reason for his kick. The Eastern European community is going to blame for it his wife, Lika. Their relationships became the subject of extensive discussion in the media after Boombl4 proposed to her on the stage.
Since the beginning of the war, Lika allowed herself several careless posts on Instagram and Telegram. Firstly, she posted a photo with a Russian flag on her cheek. After she made a video, showing a military parade dedicated to Victory Day in Russia. Also, she mentioned that she and her husband are looking for an apartment in Moscow to buy. Which would mean that Boombl4 didn't plan to move to Ukraine or any other country like NAVI's leadership expected from him.
Each of these situations was met with harsh criticism by representatives of the Ukrainian and even Russian community. And all these facts have become only addition to Lika's dubious reputation. Information circulates in the community that the player's wife previously worked in prostitution and starred in pornography.
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What is next for NAVI?
The players and NAVI's staff warmly said goodbye to Boombl4. For three years at the club, he became not only a teammate but also a good friend.
S1mple even expressed his hope to play with his ex-captain again:
This is how this world works, i want to thank you Boombl4 for everything you have done, without you, not a single player of our team has achieved all the achievements that we experienced together in joy and sorrow, good luck and maybe one day we will play together again.
While ex-teammates are saying their thank you and goodbye, the community started speculations about possible new NAVI player. The most likely option is going to be Daniil "Headtr1ck" Valitov, a player of the NAVI Junior team. He already took Boombl4's place once during IGL's illness.
However, NAVI has yet to announce a Boombl4's replacement. According to the statement, they will present the updated roster closer to The BLAST Premier: Spring Finals. Also, there is still no information about the fate of electroNic and Perfecto, who are also played under the Russian flag.
NAVI's new roster is going to debut on the 15th of June, during The BLAST Premier: Spring Finals. Follow Esports.gg to not miss announcements and news about NAVI's new in-game leader and first games!
