Pujan ‘FNS’ Mehta, one of the most strategic in-game leaders in the VALORANT scene, has officially announced his retirement from competitive play. Known for his tactical approach and leadership, FNS is shifting gears to focus on full-time streaming, bringing a close to his long-standing career in Riot’s tactical shooter.
Following a brief hiatus in 2023, FNS rejoined the professional stage with NRG, aiming to make another impact in the VALORANT Champions Tour. However, shortly after the conclusion of Americas Stage 1 in 2025, he revealed his decision to step down from pro play.
A Personal Turning Point
FNS shared that for the first time in his professional journey, he returned home with a sense that he no longer wanted to compete. He explained that the emotional weight of repeated setbacks had finally surpassed the highs of his successes. According to him, this internal struggle became the catalyst for change—not just for himself but for the team as well—though he emphasized that he didn’t wish to blame or remove anyone from the roster.
A Legacy Written in Titles and Tactics
FNS leaves behind a remarkable legacy. His VALORANT career began with Together We Are Terrific before being signed by Team Envy, a major North American organization. Under his leadership, the team earned spots at Masters Berlin and the inaugural VALORANT Champions event in 2021.
After a rebranding to OpTic Gaming, FNS led the team through its golden era. 2022 marked a peak, with a title win at Masters Reykjavík and a second-place finish at VALORANT Champions that same year. Even after OpTic was left out of the VCT partnership system, the core roster—along with FNS—found a new home with NRG.
During a break from competing, FNS turned to streaming VALORANT and VCT content, quickly gaining traction among fans across the Americas and Pacific regions. His Twitch channel has since grown to nearly 400,000 followers, and he has consistently shared how much he enjoys connecting with the community through this platform.
A New Chapter for NRG
With FNS stepping down, NRG has made moves to reshape its lineup. Logan ‘skuba’ Jenkins, previously part of Sentinels’ academy team, Cubert Academy, has been brought on board. Additionally, Malkolm ‘bonkar’ Rench has returned as coach, aiming to bring stability and experience as the team gears up for the Esports World Cup qualifiers and the next stage of VCT Americas.