Gaming News
Counter‑Strike honors maleK after his passing, says insider‑gaming.com
Developing
Photo: Esports Kingdom (cc by 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 4 events from Sep 27, 2026 to Sep 28, 2026, drawn from 1 source.
“one of the pillars of the French CS scene throughout all those years”
via insider-gaming.com
Background
Malek ‘maleK’ Bennouioua was a former Counter-Strike professional player and streamer who was 35 years old at the time of his passing. He was a father of two and was described by French CS reporter Guillaume ‘neL’ Canelo as “one of the pillars of the French CS scene throughout all those years.”
The announcement triggered an outpouring of grief from the French community and beyond, with several notable players and former pros posting tributes on social media.
The timeline
-
maleK's passing confirmed by friend
The player is believed to have passed away in the early hours of September 27. Reportedly, confirmation was initially shared by X user @TheNextPharaon, a friend of the player and member of the French Counter-Strike scene, who posted a message stating that their brother Malek, known as malekCSGO, had passed away that day.[1]
-
apEX and shox post tributes
French legends Vitality IGL Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire and Richard ‘shox’ Papillon reportedly posted tributes on social media. Madesclaire expressed his shock, stating he had known maleK for 20 years and shared memories from their time together, while also urging others not to stay alone when things are not okay.[1]
-
MAJ3R shared tribute
Former Aurora and Eternal Fire captain Engin ‘MAJ3R’ Küpel reportedly shared a message on social media stating that they lost Malek the previous night. He noted that their paths had crossed many times during his career in France and that there was always love and respect between them.[1]
-
Ozstrik3r posted tribute
Former 3DMAX, LDLC, and Team Falcons coach Steeve ‘Ozstrik3r’ Flavigni reportedly posted a tribute stating he learned of the passing around 3 a.m. He reflected on the importance of life compared to internet and gaming, noting that maleK reportedly leaves behind two children.[1]
Frequently asked
When did maleK pass away?
The player is believed to have passed away in the early hours of September 27, 2026, according to insider-gaming.com. The news was confirmed by a friend of the player on social media.
Who confirmed maleK's death?
The confirmation was initially shared by X user @TheNextPharaon, a friend of the player and member of the French Counter-Strike scene, according to insider-gaming.com. The post asked for prayers for the deceased.
What did apEX say about maleK?
Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire stated he did not have the words and could not believe it, according to insider-gaming.com. He mentioned knowing maleK for 20 years and expressed condolences to the family.
How old was maleK when he died?
Malek ‘maleK’ Bennouioua was 35 years old at the time of his passing, according to insider-gaming.com. He was also described as the father of two.
More related drama (4)
Sources (1)
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 4 dated events from 1 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Counter‑Strike honors maleK after his passing, says insider‑gaming.com.”
GenZHype, 6 October 2026,
https://genzhype.com/gaming/counter-strike-community-mourns-malek-after-his-passing/.