FalleN reveals FURIA have been testing YEKINDAR as the team's IGL
FURIA captain Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo has confirmed in a recent podcast with Alexandre "Gaules" Borba that the organization is actively preparing Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis to take over as the team's In-Game Leader (IGL). The transition is set to occur by the end of 2026, coinciding with FalleN's retirement.
According to FalleN, YEKINDAR has already exerted significant influence over the team's calling style. Previously responsible for gameplans primarily on the Counter-Terrorist (CT) side, the Latvian player is now being given more responsibility for directing plays on the Terrorist (T-side) as well.
This shift was highlighted during FURIA's recent victory against Aurora Esports. YEKINDAR took charge of the strategy on Ancient for the T-side. In their debut match on the map, which had previously been permabanned by FURIA, the team managed to convert a 4-8 start into a decisive 13-11 win.
With FalleN retiring at the end of the year, all eyes are on who will lead the squad. While YEKINDAR's previous stint as an IGL with Liquid was largely unsuccessful, FalleN expressed significant confidence in his protégé's ability to succeed in the role.