My grandson had his tutorials on loop for a year, learning French off the subtitles as much as the game. 35. Terrible.
Their story
Malek Bennouioua, known across French Counter-Strike as maleK or MalekCSGO, was a former professional player who became one of the most recognisable streamers and teachers in the French-speaking scene. Born in September 1991, he died in Aix-en-Provence on 27 September 2026 at the age of 35, after a night that…
Malek Bennouioua, known across French Counter-Strike as maleK or MalekCSGO, was a former professional player who became one of the most recognisable streamers and teachers in the French-speaking scene. Born in September 1991, he died in Aix-en-Provence on 27 September 2026 at the age of 35, after a night that drew RAID negotiators to his Saint-Jérôme apartment and ended in hospital in the early morning. Friends, fellow players, and the Fédération Française de Jeu Vidéo confirmed the loss as tributes poured across X, Twitch, and YouTube.
Bennouioua came up through Counter-Strike: Source around 2011 and spent years in the French CS:GO sub-top as an in-game leader rather than a trophy hunter. He wore the colours of beGenius ESC in 2015 and later Epsilon France in 2017 alongside Audric "JACKZ" Jug and other familiar French names. Liquipedia and HLTV list further stops with Platinium and Red Instinct. He never captured a major international title, but French press and community memory place him on national LAN podiums, including a noted DreamHack Tours result in 2018. After stepping away from full-time competition around 2017 - 2018, he poured that reading of the game into content.
His YouTube channel (maleK CSGO / MALEKCSGOTV) and Twitch stream became weekly classrooms for amateurs: news roundups, demos, strategy breakdowns, and coaching-style advice. By the mid-2020s HLTV reported more than 130,000 YouTube subscribers and about 155,000 Twitch followers. He had crossed 100,000 YouTube subscribers by early 2021 and ran malekcsgo.fr as a hub for settings and community links. In 2022 he spoke at length with Zack Nani about his pro path and passion for Valve's FPS. French reporter Guillaume "neL" Canelo called him one of the pillars of the French CS scene and a loyal fixture of its community. Fans on HLTV thanked him for tutorials that shaped more than a decade of learning.
He was also a father. Reporting after his death said he left two children, and it was his former partner who alerted police on the evening of 26 September after receiving messages that suggested he intended to take his own life. RAID arrived late that night with a negotiator; firefighters later treated him in a critical condition. He died in hospital around 4 a.m. on 27 September. HLTV stated that the cause of death had not been made public. Several French outlets reported a self-inflicted gunshot during the standoff. A message posted from his X account asked the public, out of respect for MaleK's memory and his family's ordeal, not to spread rumors, false information, or speculation, and to respect their privacy.
Tributes came from Dan "apEX" Madesclaire, Richard "shox" Papillon (who said he had known Malek for twenty years and pleaded with followers not to stay alone when things are hard), Steeve "Ozstrik3r" Flavigni, Ryan "Neityu" Aubry, Sébastien "KRL" Perez, Engin "MAJ3R" Küpeli, and many creators and fans. Rapper JuL, a former classmate, shared an Instagram story in his memory. The Fédération Française de Jeu Vidéo published an official condolence. What remains is a body of teaching content, a French scene that grew up with his streams, and a reminder from his peers that behind the nicknames are parents, partners, and friends who need one another.
Biography adapted from HLTV.org news and player profile; Liquipedia Counter-Strike; French press (20 Minutes, Le Dauphiné, Programme-tv, Public, La Provence reporting); Insider Gaming; FFJV; e.sport.fr; team-aaa; CSGO Dude..
In their own words
“He will have been one of the pillars of the French CS scene throughout all those years, and a true loyalist to the community.”
Guillaume neL Canelo on X after Malek's death (paraphrased from French tribute widely quoted by Insider Gaming and HLTV).
“I beg you, don't stay alone when things aren't okay. I wish I had known so I could have helped him.”
Richard shox Papillon on X, 28 September 2026, recalling twenty years of friendship.
“The only thing that matters today is that Malek is gone and that he leaves behind two children.”
Steeve Ozstrik3r Flavigni on X, 28 September 2026.
“Out of respect for MaleK's memory and the extremely difficult time his loved ones are going through, we ask that you refrain from spreading rumors, false information, or speculation, and that you respect his privacy and that of his family.”
Statement posted from the @malekCSGO X account on behalf of loved ones, 28 September 2026.
“Rest in peace, maleK.”
Dan apEX Madesclaire on X, 28 September 2026.
“La Fédération Française de Jeu Vidéo a la profonde tristesse d'apprendre le décès de MalekCSGO, ancien joueur pro, streamer et créateur de contenus sur Counter-Strike, figure de la communauté française.”
Official FFJV statement on X, 28 September 2026.
“Thank you for helping so many young players with your tutorials, and for providing us with your hard work and your love for Counter-Strike for more than 10 years.”
Fan tribute widely echoed on HLTV.org comment threads, 28 September 2026.
“We spoke recently in Paris during the EWC, and we both said that we were happy our relationship had improved.”
Sébastien KRL Perez clarifying his late relationship with Malek on HLTV comments / X context, September 2026.

From social media
7Posts by Malek, and posts about them, kept here so they are not lost.