Former French Counter-Strike: Global Offensive professional player and streamer Malek Bennouioua has passed away at the age of 35. Known to players by his alias Malek, his death has sparked mourning within the French esports community, particularly among Counter-Strike fans.
Malek passed away during the night of September 27–28, 2026. During his professional career, he was primarily active in the French Counter-Strike: Global Offensive scene, serving as an in-game leader and gaining recognition for his tactical analysis and on-the-fly judgment.
His professional career included stints with beGenius ESC and Epsilon.fr, as well as participation in French LAN events such as Gamers Assembly. He achieved a podium finish at DreamHack Tours in 2018. Afterwards, he gradually shifted his focus toward content creation.
On Twitch and YouTube, Malek shared match analyses, tactical tutorials, and personal coaching content, amassing over 100,000 followers. His commentary covered positioning, strategic thinking, and decision-making in high-pressure situations. In 2022, he also appeared on Zack Nani's interview show, discussing his passion for Counter-Strike.
Following the news of his passing, Dan Madesclaire (apEX), Richard Papillon (Shox), and coach Steeve Flavigni (Ozstrik3r) paid tribute to Malek on social media. Flavigni mentioned that Malek leaves behind a partner and two young children.
