Counter-Strike Majors are not just tournaments — they are the peak of competition where legends are born and players carve their names into esports history. From 2013 to 2024, dozens of extraordinary players have shined on the biggest stages, but only a few were crowned MVPs — those who did the impossible. In this article, we look back at every Major MVP and the legacy they left behind.
DreamHack Winter 2013 — JW (Fnatic)
Jesper “JW” Wecksell became the first-ever MVP of a CS:GO Major. In the grand final against the unbeatable NiP, he delivered a calm and confident performance with the AWP, playing a key role in Fnatic’s victory. His aggressive AWPing style was revolutionary at the time and laid the groundwork for the dominance of the Swedish scene in the early CS:GO era.
EMS One Katowice 2014 — pashaBiceps (Virtus.pro)
Jarosław “pashaBiceps” Jarząbkowski was the hero of Poland’s home Major, leading Virtus.pro to the title. His sharp aim and charismatic presence made him a fan favorite. Throughout the tournament, pashaBiceps showcased consistency and leadership, helping elevate the Polish scene to international prominence.
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ESL One Cologne 2014 — friberg (NIP)
Adam “friberg” Friberg earned MVP honors as NIP finally secured their first Major title after two previous finals losses. Known for his explosive entries, especially on Inferno, friberg’s impact was decisive despite not having the flashiest stats. His ace earned him a tribute on the map itself — the “Via Adamo” sign.
DreamHack Winter 2014 — Happy (LDLC)
Vincent “Happy” Schopenhauer was the mastermind behind the French LDLC lineup. His lurking and timing were crucial in their Major win. Happy stood out with his map awareness and tempo control, becoming the first true “brain” of CS:GO and inspiring a generation of IGLs.
ESL One Katowice 2015 — olofmeister (Fnatic)
Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer became the face of Fnatic’s 2015 dominance. His versatility and confidence allowed him to fill any role at the highest level. At Katowice, he produced a highlight reel of plays and led the charge, influencing the game’s meta and cementing his legendary status.
ESL One Cologne 2015 — flusha (Fnatic)
Robin “flusha” Rönnquist earned MVP thanks to his composure and game sense. Often accused of cheating due to his uncanny reads, flusha proved it was just world-class intuition. He became the third Fnatic player to earn a Major MVP, reinforcing the team’s early-era supremacy.
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DreamHack Cluj-Napoca 2015 — kennyS (EnVyUs)
Kenny “kennyS” Schrub dominated with the AWP, dazzling fans with flashy, aggressive duels. His style boosted the popularity of skins like the AWP Asiimov. The final against GuardiaN turned into a sniper showdown for the ages, and kennyS came out on top.
MLG Columbus 2016 — coldzera (Luminosity)
Marcelo “coldzera” David became the first player to win multiple Major MVPs. His iconic four-kill highlight on Mirage defined the tournament. Coldzera’s consistency and game IQ led the Brazilian squad to their first Major title and set a new standard for riflers worldwide.
ESL One Cologne 2016 — coldzera (SK Gaming)
With a new organization but the same lineup, coldzera claimed his second MVP. His clutch ability and calm under pressure left no room for doubt — the Columbus success was no fluke. Coldzera became the first two-time Major MVP in CS history.
ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017 — Kjaerbye (Astralis)
Markus “Kjaerbye” Kjærbye had the tournament of his life, becoming the surprise star of Atlanta. His aggressive entries and timing were crucial in Astralis’ final win over Virtus.pro. His MVP run marked the beginning of the Astralis era.
PGL Major Krakow 2017 — AdreN (Gambit)
Dauren “AdreN” Kystaubayev was the heart of Gambit’s unlikely triumph. His aim and experience anchored the team throughout the event. More than just stats, his leadership inspired players across the CIS region.
ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018 — tarik (Cloud9)
Tarik “tarik” Celik was the driving force behind Cloud9’s miracle run, becoming the only American to win a Major on home soil. His clutch plays and aggression in the final vs. FaZe turned the crowd electric. It remains one of the most iconic Major moments of all time.
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FACEIT Major London 2018 — device (Astralis)
Nicolai “device” Reedtz was the methodical AWPing machine leading Astralis to new heights. While not the flashiest, his consistent excellence earned him MVP in London and helped build the foundation of the Astralis dynasty.
IEM Katowice 2019 — Magisk (Astralis)
Emil “Magisk” Reif became the first Astralis player to win an MVP over device. His fearless, aggressive rifling shined in the final against ENCE, proving that Astralis was a system of stars — not just one.
StarLadder Berlin Major 2019 — device (Astralis)
On the last Major of the Astralis era, device claimed another MVP. His accuracy and control sealed Astralis’ fourth Major title, while marking his third MVP award — a record that still stands.
PGL Major Stockholm 2021 — s1mple (NAVI)
Aleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev finally won his long-awaited Major title. NAVI went undefeated, and s1mple dominated every phase of the event. His stats and highlights were among the best in Major history, fulfilling the dream of millions.
PGL Major Antwerp 2022 — rain (FaZe)
Håvard “rain” Nygaard defied age and expectations, earning MVP over FaZe’s younger stars. His clutch performance against NAVI in the final proved that experience still wins. Rain became the first Norwegian Major MVP.
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IEM Rio Major 2022 — Jame (Outsiders)
Dzhami “Jame” Ali became a symbol of discipline and tactical CS. Once mocked for his passive style, Jame silenced critics with a cerebral performance that guided Outsiders to a stunning win in Brazil.
BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 — ZywOo (Vitality)
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was unstoppable in Paris, posting a 1.39 rating — one of the highest in Major history. His performance carried Vitality to the title and closed the CS:GO era in fitting fashion.
PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 — jL (NAVI)
Justinas “jL” Lekavicius shocked the scene with a standout final against FaZe, particularly on Inferno. His heroics helped NAVI claim their first CS2 Major, making jL the first Lithuanian player to ever earn Major MVP.
Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 — donk (Spirit)
Danil “donk” Kryshkovets lit up Shanghai with record-breaking aces and unmatched raw aim. At just 17 years old, his level of play stunned the world and confirmed him as the face of CS2’s new era.
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 — ZywOo (Team Vitality)
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut delivered another masterclass in Austin, finishing the Major with a 1.38 rating and dominating key rounds from start to finish. His impact in opening duels and late-round clutches made him the clear MVP of the tournament.
Austin also became Vitality’s seventh tier-1 event of the season, the final piece that completed their run toward the ESL Grand Slam Season 5. It was a fitting peak for a team that had spent the entire first half of 2025 playing at a level few lineups have ever matched.
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Why Major MVPs Matter More Than Ever
The story of Major MVPs is the story of how Counter-Strike evolves. Each MVP didn’t just outshoot opponents — they reshaped how the game was played. JW’s reckless confidence, coldzera’s calculated perfection, s1mple’s era-defining dominance, jL’s raw firepower, and donk’s explosive rise all represent different visions of greatness.
What stands out most is how varied these champions are. Some were emotional leaders, others were tactical masterminds, and some were prodigies whose mechanics defied logic. Yet all of them found a way to elevate their teams when the pressure became unbearable.
As we head into Budapest, one thing is certain: the next MVP is not just going to win a medal. He will write the next chapter in Counter-Strike history — and redefine what greatness looks like in CS2’s modern era.
Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge
Running alongside the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is the updated Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge. Fans can predict match outcomes across all stages, earn points, unlock tiered rewards, and level up their Pick’em progress. Prizes include high-tier skins, gloves, knives, and the ultimate grand reward — an AWP | Dragon Lore. The Pick’em brings an extra layer of excitement to the Major, making every 3–0 guess, every risky upset, and every playoff prediction feel like part of the competition.
