A phenomenal performance from Danil “molodoy” Golubenko earned him the MVP title at IEM Chengdu 2025.
The Kazakh talent, playing under FURIA, became a key factor in the Brazilian organization’s historic championship run — displaying composure, consistency, and remarkable maturity throughout the event.
From Rookie to Championship Leader
He didn't miss a beat the whole time at #IEM Chengdu.
The final #ESLProTour DHL MVP of 2025.@tvoy_molodoy 🇰🇿@DeutschePostDHL pic.twitter.com/n4FOewueV0
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) November 9, 2025
Throughout the tournament, molodoy showcased a rare combination of individual brilliance and team awareness. His average HLTV Rating 3.0 of 1.27, alongside 79.5 ADR, 1.10 MK rating, and +3.86% swing, confirmed his rise as the new face of FURIA. Some of his standout performances came against elite opponents:
- vs Lynn Vision (2–0): 1.73 rating — an explosive start to the tournament;
- vs G2 (2–0): 1.29 rating — cold confidence against the European giants;
- vs The MongolZ (2–0): 1.57 rating — complete domination;
- vs Falcons (2–0): crucial clutches on Mirage that turned rounds in FURIA’s favor;
- vs Vitality (3–0 in the final): a stable 1.19 rating performance in the match that crowned FURIA world champions.
- Only the semifinal against MOUZ (1–2) served as a minor setback — yet even there, molodoy held his ground with a 1.12 rating, maintaining full synergy within the team.
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“For me, it’s all about winning trophies”
After the grand final, molodoy shared his thoughts — words that perfectly captured the mindset of a champion:
Of course, getting the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title would be great. But that’s not my main goal. I strive to win trophies, and then maybe later I’ll get MVP or Rookie of the Year.
The quote, which quickly went viral across social media, reflects his mentality perfectly — victories first, awards later. As fans noted, “There’s no doubt this won’t be the last MVP title for molodoy.”
MVP Stats — IEM Chengdu 2025
- Rating 3.0: 1.27
- KPR: 0.85
- DPR: 0.56
- KAST: 75.6%
- ADR: 79.5
- MK Rating: 1.10
- Swing: +3.86%
OverDrive: “FURIA has structure, understanding, and a world-class AWPer”
Russian analyst OverDrive also reacted to FURIA’s success:
After this MVP, molodoy could easily enter HLTV’s top 10 players of the year — if he hasn’t already. Everything in FURIA looks great: strong structure, great team understanding, and outstanding AWP play.
His words echoed what many analysts have noticed for months — FURIA has evolved from a team of moments into a team of systems, and molodoy has become the engine driving that transformation.
Community Reaction: “Molodoy is the truth”
Your #ESLProTour DHL MVP is @tvoy_molodoy! What a tournament from him 🙏
Check out what he had to say when speaking with @FreyaSpiers after lifting the trophy 🏆#IEM @DeutschePostDHL pic.twitter.com/odG9yfSl6o
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) November 9, 2025
Social media exploded after the IEM Chengdu final. Thousands of fans, journalists, and even pro players shared their admiration for the Kazakh sniper’s performance:
- Zak World (@izikiale03): “He deserves it — that boy can be the next GOAT. No m0NESY, no sh1ro — only ZywOo can compare. He doesn’t flex with the AWP — he hits the point!”
- IsahMew está FURIOSA: “For the blind — he is the eyes. For the deaf — he is the ears. For the sad — he is happiness. For there is only one — Molodoy is the truth.”
- Ravss: “It was impossible to take it from him. The guy is a monster.”
- Greta Sage: “Rookie of the Year.”
- Guilherme Bonfim: “I don’t know what ZywOo, I don’t know what m0NESY, I don’t know what sh1ro — this is Molodoy, f**!”*
Even skeptics admit — molodoy has become the breakout player of the year, blending intelligence, precision, and aggression in a way few young players can.
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FURIA Brings Brazil Back to the Top
FURIA’s triumph at IEM Chengdu 2025 was not just another trophy — it symbolized the revival of Brazilian Counter-Strike. At the same time, molodoy became the first Kazakh player ever to win an MVP award at a major international event while representing a South American organization — a truly historic achievement that highlights the global nature of CS2.
IEM Chengdu 2025 will be remembered as the event where FURIA reached full maturity, and molodoy emerged as a true superstar. His MVP title wasn’t just about statistics — it marked the birth of a new leader in the CS2 era.
