A professional Call of Duty player was forced to retire at age 25 due to a thumb injury, saying ‘breaks’ your heart having to walk away from the game.
Thomas ‘ZooMaa‘ Paparatto announced he would have to resign in the esports scene in an emotional statement on Twitter, explaining that playing with pain ‘is simply no longer possible’.
The, 25, new york Player subliners I wrote: “I am leaving office and I will no longer compete in the competitive Call of Duty in the near future.
“I’m not sure if many of you remember, but a few years ago, while FaZe, I struggled with weakness in my thumb / wrist and needed surgery.
“Going through this process of getting healthy again was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do, both physically and mentally, which led to a lot of stress and anxiety.
“Unfortunately, the injury came back, making it very difficult for me to compete at the highest level against some of the best players in the world. Playing with the weakness and pain in my hand is simply no longer possible.
“I don’t like to compete when I can’t be the ZooMaa everyone knows, loves and feels that it is not fair to myself or my team to go through it all again, potentially causing more damage to my hand.“
a month agoPaparatto he said he met “so many amazing people” through e-sports and made friends that he “will love” for the rest of his life.
He continuous: “It breaks my heart to walk away from a game in which I put my heart and soul every day for eight years. Ripping just for writing this, but I don’t know what else to do at this point.
“It was an incredible race … I have no regrets and I am grateful to have had a long game career doing what I love to do at such a high level. “
Thanking fans, friends, family and ‘past and present teammates’ for their support, Paparatto added: “I’m not sure what the future holds and I will explore all the options, as I love this game to get away completely. I see it as a door closing and another opening.“
Many other players commented on Paparatto’s touching post to wish him all the best for the future, with CoD World Champion Attach saying, “That was hard to read. I’m sorry it happened, Duo. I know you’re going to crush everything you decide to do next. It was an honor to work with you and make so many memories. If you need to of something, I will always be here for you, brother. “
Team Envy’s Bradley ‘aPG’ Laws also wrote: “Horrible to hear, but wishing you the best in what comes next and a brotha of quick recovery.”