TALKESPORT

ScreaM is playing competitive Counter-Strike again. For real, this time.

On April 8, 2026, Adil “ScreaM” Benrlitom officially signed with Clutchain, joining a French-speaking roster that will compete in the Conquest of Prague 2026: Online Stage. The Belgian veteran, known across the CS community as the “headshot machine,” last retired from Counter-Strike on August 7, 2020. That is nearly six years off the server at the professional level.

At the HLTV Awards in January 2026, ScreaM had already announced his intentions to return to competition, saying he wanted to challenge himself to get back into form and compete in Counter-Strike once more. That return is now confirmed and has a team behind it.

The Full Clutchain Roster

On this new roster, ScreaM joins a number of familiar faces from the French-speaking subtop, including younger brother Nabil “Nivera” Benrlitom and former Vitality player Jayson “Kyojin” Nguyen. The roster is rounded out by Jordan “Python” Munck-Foehrle and rookie Frenchman Hugo “SHOGU” Lopez.

The full Clutchain CS2 lineup is: Adil “ScreaM” Benrlitom, Nabil “Nivera” Benrlitom, Jayson “Kyojin” Nguyen, Jordan “Python” Munck-Foehrle, and Hugo “SHOGU” Lopez.

How ScreaM Got Here

The road back started slowly. ScreaM’s road back to competitive Counter-Strike first began in 2025 when he joined FUT as a sixth-man and streamer alongside the organization’s short-lived French lineup. Since then, ScreaM has been streaming and playing in a handful of smaller French events while working to get back into form.

His time at FUT was not a starting role. When he joined in May 2025, he described himself as a content creator and sixth player. His stated goal at the time was to fully come back to competitive CS once he familiarised with the game and felt ready.

That process took about a year. Now he has a proper starting spot and a team built for competition.

Before CS, ScreaM spent four years in VALORANT. He competed for a further three years after leaving CS:GO before hanging up the mouse entirely after playing for Karmine Corp. Both ScreaM and Nivera played together on Karmine Corp before retiring from VALORANT in March 2024.

What NiKo Said About ScreaM’s Return

Not everyone was convinced a return was possible. Back in August 2025, G2 rifler Nikola “NiKo” Kovač weighed in during an ESL Rifler Roundtable session. NiKo told Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill that ScreaM’s “aim is crisp still, but I think he’s a bit rusty with the gameplay,” adding that “it’s really hard to come back to CS2.”

That comment was made before ScreaM had found a starting roster. It remains relevant context for what he is attempting.

About Clutchain

The Clutchain organization has been making a number of inroads into CS2 in recent weeks, picking up this roster today while also signing the former Imperial Valkyries/Pigeons roster in early April.

The team already has results. Before the Clutchain signing was announced, the roster had already won the Conquest of Prague 2026: European Open Qualifier #2, securing a spot in the main Online Stage.

Clutchain will make their debut in Conquest of Prague 2026: Online Stage when the online league kicks off on April 12.

The Conquest of Prague 2026: Online Stage is a C-Tier European CS2 tournament organized by PLAYzone, running from April 12 to April 29. It is a Valve Tier 2 qualifier featuring 16 teams.

ScreaM’s Career Before the Break

ScreaM was one of the most recognizable players in CS:GO during its peak years. He played for multiple major French and European organizations over a career that spanned more than a decade. His last teams in CS:GO before the 2020 retirement were GamerLegion, where he played alongside fellow Belgian Kevin “Ex6TenZ” Droolans, before the move to VALORANT.

He was widely known for his one-tap accuracy and mechanical skill, earning the “headshot machine” nickname early in his career. The 31-year-old former Envy and G2 player retired on August 7, 2020, to pursue a career in VALORANT.

His return to competitive Counter-Strike, now in CS2, is one of the more unusual stories of the 2026 season. The game has changed significantly since his active years. He has a team, a tournament, and a first match on April 12 to show what he can still do.

For the full picture of what is happening in the CS2 competitive scene right now, including the rosters set for the IEM Cologne 2026 Major and the CS2 tournament calendar for 2026, TalkEsport has full coverage. ScreaM’s earlier return step with FUT Esports was also covered here when it was announced in May 2025.

You can follow Clutchain’s official announcement on X via their post on April 8, and ScreaM’s full player profile is tracked on HLTV.

FAQ

Who is ScreaM in CS2? Adil “ScreaM” Benrlitom is a 31-year-old Belgian Counter-Strike player known as the “headshot machine.” He played for top organizations including G2 and Envy before retiring in August 2020. He returned to competitive CS2 in 2026 with Clutchain.

What team is ScreaM on in 2026? ScreaM signed with Clutchain on April 8, 2026, alongside his brother Nivera, Kyojin, Python, and SHOGU.

When is ScreaM’s first match with Clutchain? Clutchain’s debut is at the Conquest of Prague 2026: Online Stage, which kicks off on April 12, 2026.

How long was ScreaM away from CS? ScreaM retired from Counter-Strike on August 7, 2020, spending four years in VALORANT before fully stepping away from pro play after Karmine Corp.

Did ScreaM play for FUT Esports? Yes. In May 2025, ScreaM joined FUT Esports as a sixth-man and streamer alongside a French CS2 lineup. That was his first step back toward competitive play before eventually signing as a full starter with Clutchain in 2026.

Valve might be building its own AI tool. Code strings referencing something called “SteamGPT” were discovered inside a recent Steam update by dataminer GabeFollower, who shared the findings on X on April 7, 2026. The references were removed shortly after being spotted.

The lines contain references to generic task creation and response tied to task queues, labeling jobs, test results, and fine-tuning data. Valve has not officially commented on the discovery.

What the Code Actually Shows

The name SteamGPT alone points toward some kind of AI or language model integration. What the strings suggest is more specific.

A separate service called SteamGPTSummary appears to pull account-level details, including profile info, Steam Guard status, security history, country, VAC status, phone data, fraud flags, and playtime.

On top of that, additional snippets reference Trust_GetTrustScoreInternal, CSbot, player_evaluation, and SteamGPTRenderFarm, which suggests SteamGPT will also connect to Valve’s Trust Score system.

That Trust Score connection is what has CS2 players paying attention. Trust Score is the underlying value that powers Valve’s Trust Factor Matchmaking system. Trust Score powers Valve’s patented Trust Factor Matchmaking. It uses machine learning to analyze and score players based on their in-game behavior, then pairs them with teammates and opponents of similar trustworthiness.

What SteamGPT Might Do

The clearest use case from the code is Steam support automation. SteamGPT would be trained to handle common player requests: cheating reports, game launch issues, refund questions. The system would be able to accept a ticket, check match and account data, then provide a ready-made solution.

Steam has something like 69 million daily active users, so you can imagine how much of a help AI could theoretically be.

The CS2 angle is more speculative, but the code hints at it clearly. The code fragments mention “PlayerEvaluation” and something called CSBot. The idea is that the AI would help VACnet, the existing trainable system that hunts for cheaters using match demo recordings.

Nothing in the leaked code shows SteamGPT issuing bans directly or replacing VAC. Nothing in the leaked code shows SteamGPT issuing bans directly or replacing VAC, which is probably the right approach, especially early on, to avoid the risk of AI penalizing genuinely skilled players.

For context on how Valve’s existing anti-cheat has performed, the VAC Live update from September 2025 on TalkEsport showed the system wiping out known cheats including DMA card exploits and case-farming bots in a single wave. SteamGPT, if real, would sit alongside rather than replace that system.

The Strings Were Pulled Quickly

References to SteamGPT were quickly removed after they were leaked following the release of the latest Steam VR Beta.

That removal has led to two interpretations. One is that the code is real and Valve pulled it to avoid premature disclosure. The other is that SteamGPT is a placeholder name or internal joke that was never meant to ship.

There’s also the possibility that the name was more of an in-house joke, and it’s not really an LLM (Large Language Model) at all, hence the sudden removal once people spotted it.

Either way, it’s common that months or even a year can pass from first mentions in client files to an actual release.

Gabe Newell’s Stance on AI

The existence of SteamGPT remains unconfirmed, but it would be surprising if it never sees the light of day, given Valve president Gabe Newell’s stance on AI. Last year, Newell said, “AI is essentially going to be a cheat code for people who want to take advantage of it.”

That quote works both ways. It suggests Valve sees AI as a tool worth using, both for its own operations and to fight people who exploit it in games.

Why CS2 Players Are Paying Attention

CS2’s cheating problem has been a long-running issue. The CS2 VAC Live false ban wave in January 2026 on TalkEsport showed that even Valve’s own anti-cheat has made mistakes, banning legitimate players alongside actual cheaters.

Right now, a cheating report in CS2 can take weeks to get processed, and a reply from support can take days. In theory, SteamGPT could cut those times down to hours or even minutes.

That speed improvement is what CS2 players are most hopeful about, if SteamGPT turns out to be real.

The flip side is that automated account scoring through AI raises its own concerns. For those who have dealt with false VAC bans in the past, the idea of an AI system evaluating accounts without clear human review is not straightforwardly good news. You can read more about how VAC has handled these situations in TalkEsport’s full coverage of CS2 VAC ban issues.

Community Reaction

The response has been split. Some players welcome any AI-assisted improvement to a support system that has long been criticized for slow response times. Others are skeptical that replacing human review with automation is the right call, particularly for account ban decisions.

Some assert that Valve should have just hired more human staff for the aforementioned improvements, while others think the customer support process can become much more efficient using AI.

Valve has not made any public statement. Until the company confirms what SteamGPT is, everything derived from the datamine stays in the realm of speculation. The official Steam platform has no published information about this tool.

FAQ

What is SteamGPT? SteamGPT is a name found in datamined Steam code by content creator GabeFollower on April 7, 2026. The code suggests it may be an AI tool built to handle Steam support tickets and connect with CS2’s Trust Score system. Valve has not confirmed the project.

Will SteamGPT ban CS2 players automatically? Nothing in the leaked code indicates SteamGPT would issue bans directly. The strings suggest it would assist with player evaluation and support ticket processing, likely alongside human review.

Is SteamGPT connected to VACnet? The code references PlayerEvaluation and CSBot, which suggest a connection to CS2’s anti-cheat. However, SteamGPT appears to complement VACnet rather than replace it.

When will SteamGPT release? There is no release date. The code strings were removed shortly after being discovered. Valve has not confirmed the tool exists or is in active development.

What data does SteamGPT access? Based on the datamine, a service called SteamGPTSummary appears to access profile info, Steam Guard status, security history, VAC status, phone data, fraud flags, and playtime.

G2 Esports have confirmed that Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač will not travel to Brazil for IEM Rio 2026. The Bosnian rifler and in-game leader is dealing with a foot injury that rules him out of the tournament entirely.

G2 announced they will field G2 Ares member Vilius “tAk” Keserauskas as a stand-in for huNter- at IEM Rio “due to unforeseen circumstances.” Those circumstances were clarified by a photo from huNter- showing a cast on his foot.

huNter- himself broke down the injury on X. He said: “Sucks to not be able to go to Brazil and help my team, play in front of amazing crowd, but I hope that I will recover quick and be ready for next challenges. Btw, bone is a tiny bit cracked and ligaments are severely stretched.”

Leadership Changes at IEM Rio

With huNter- out, G2 needed to redistribute responsibilities. He has been the team’s in-game leader. When contacted by HLTV, G2’s CS General Manager Petar “peca” Marković confirmed that Álvaro “SunPayus” García will take up leadership duties, with support from Guy “NertZ” Iluz, for the duration of the event.

SunPayus stepping into a leadership role is a notable shift. The Spanish AWPer is not a regular IGL. NertZ sharing the responsibilities alongside him is an improvised arrangement, born from necessity rather than prior planning.

Who Is tAk

tAk will get his first taste of Tier 1 competition after 18 months on G2 Ares, during which he has averaged a team-high 1.11 rating.

The Lithuanian player has been one of the standout performers in the G2 academy setup. A 1.11 rating over 18 months is a strong number at that level. IEM Rio is a different environment entirely. This is his chance to show he belongs.

Why the Timing Hurts

The injury is poorly timed even by the standards of pre-tournament problems.

The news comes as a blow to G2 in the wake of their Stake Ranked Episode 1 victory, where they had just been coming to grips following the swap of Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa for NertZ.

That roster swap happened in March. G2 brought in NertZ from Team Liquid and moved malbsMd in the other direction. It was G2’s third Tier 2 LAN in a row as the team worked to get NertZ on the roster ahead of the cut-off for the IEM Cologne Major, and that schedule meant the team got little practice with their new addition.

So the situation heading into IEM Rio is this: G2 just won their first title with NertZ, but they barely had time to build chemistry as a five-man unit. Now they are heading into one of the biggest non-Major LANs of the year without their captain and IGL, with an academy stand-in stepping up at the last minute.

huNter-‘s absence in Rio will further compound that issue, and the team will be hoping for his recovery in time for the start of BLAST Rivals on April 27.

That is the next key date on G2’s calendar. BLAST Rivals starts April 27. If huNter- cannot make it back by then, G2 face a second consecutive event without a proper IGL structure.

G2’s Roster for IEM Rio 2026

G2 will line up as follows at IEM Rio:

• Matúš “MATYS” Šimko
• Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko
• Álvaro “SunPayus” García
• Guy “NertZ” Iluz
• Vilius “tAk” Keserauskas (stand-in)
• Eetu “sAw” Saha (coach)

For more context on how G2 arrived at this lineup, the IEM Rio 2026 opening matchups breakdown on TalkEsport covers the full group draw, including who G2 face on day one.

About IEM Rio 2026

IEM Rio 2026 runs from April 13 to April 19 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The tournament features 16 teams competing for a $300,000 prize pool. The event uses a double-elimination, best-of-three group stage format, with group winners advancing directly to the semi-finals.

Fans can attend in person on the final three days, April 17 to 19. This is only the second time a top-tier CS2 event has taken place in Brazil, with IEM previously visiting Rio in 2022, 2023, and 2024 before skipping 2025.

G2 are in Group A, alongside Vitality, Spirit, Falcons, Liquid, 3DMAX, RED Canids, and Gentle Mates. For a full look at the IEM Cologne Major coming up in June, check the IEM Cologne 2026 CS2 Major teams list on TalkEsport, which confirmed G2 have already secured their slot at that event.

What This Means for G2 at the Tournament

G2 just won Stake Ranked Episode 1, their first title with NertZ. That run saw them go undefeated through the eight-team bracket, beating Nemesis, GamerLegion, and BetBoom twice. The form was there. The confidence was building.

Now they go to Rio without the player who leads them in-game. SunPayus will call. NertZ will help. tAk will play his first Tier 1 match. Coach sAw will have a lot of work to do.

The IEM Cologne Major in June is the bigger prize on the horizon. G2 have their spot locked in. The question now is whether they can hold their form together through this period of disruption, get huNter- healthy, and arrive in Cologne in a better shape than they are in right now.

The IEM Krakow 2026 recap on TalkEsport showed G2 reaching the quarter-finals with the previous roster, only to fall to MOUZ. With NertZ now fully integrated, many expected Rio to be a step forward. With huNter- out, that expectation just got more complicated.

G2’s first match at IEM Rio 2026 is on April 13. They open against Gentle Mates in Group A.