StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 concluded with a clear and logical individual outcome. Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was named the tournament’s MVP, once again confirming his status as one of the defining players of the CS2 era. Throughout the event, the Vitality star delivered a level of consistency that proved decisive for his team’s championship run and ultimately placed him at the top of the tournament’s top-10 player rankings.
Tournament MVP — ZywOo (Vitality)
- A decisive start in the quarterfinals
The playoffs became the key factor in the MVP race. In the quarterfinal against The MongolZ, ZywOo immediately set the tone. With a 2.18 rating, full control on Mirage, and a confident showing on Dust2, he left no room for an upset. Vitality looked composed from start to finish, while ZywOo played with near-flawless precision.
- Holding the line against Spirit
However, the semifinal against Spirit was a much tougher test. Donk’s aggressive approach forced Vitality to constantly adapt. Even so, ZywOo remained the player who stabilized the game in moments of pressure. With a 1.20 rating, he controlled the pace of the series and enabled Vitality to close the matchup 2–0, even without overwhelming statistics.
- Experience meets consistency in the final
Meanwhile, the grand final against FaZe required a different kind of impact. Facing one of the most experienced teams in the world, Vitality were pushed to four maps. In this series, ZywOo’s MVP performance was defined not by dominance, but by constant value: timely trades, smart entries, and influence in decisive rounds. Moreover, strong performances from ropz and mezii helped Vitality secure a 3–1 victory.
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ZywOo’s key numbers at the Major
- Rating 3.0 — 1.38
- High ADR and KAST across the entire tournament
- Consistently positive swing in the playoffs
- Decisive impact against The MongolZ, Spirit, and FaZe
Ultimately, this MVP award reflects reliability, game sense, and the ability to win a full tournament — not just individual maps.
Top 10 Players of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
1. ZywOo (Vitality) — Rating 3.0: 1.38
The undisputed leader and face of the tournament. ZywOo delivered consistency from match to match, controlled key moments, and closed series even when Vitality were not statistically dominant. Therefore, his MVP award became the natural conclusion of the event.
2. donk (Spirit) — Rating 3.0: 1.57
The highest individual rating in the top 10 and the driving force behind Spirit. Donk’s aggressive style broke opponent structures and forced even favorites to adapt. In contrast to most players, his impact alone kept Spirit competitive in difficult series.
3. ropz (Vitality) — Rating 3.0: 1.37
One of the cleanest tournaments of ropz’s career. With minimal mistakes and strong late-round impact, he became a key part of Vitality’s championship structure. Without him, the title run would not have been possible.
4. KSCERATO (FURIA) — Rating 3.0: 1.29
Despite FURIA’s elimination, KSCERATO remained one of the most reliable riflers at the Major. His consistency and composure kept FURIA competitive longer than expected.
5. mezii (Vitality) — Rating 3.0: 1.23
Mezii produced one of the strongest Major performances of his career. His versatility and confidence, especially in elimination matches, gave Vitality valuable depth throughout the playoffs.
6. w0nderful (Natus Vincere) — Rating 3.0: 1.23
NAVI’s AWP stood firm under pressure. Although not always flashy, w0nderful delivered stability in key matches and often prevented momentum swings against his team.
7. mzinho (The MongolZ) — Rating 3.0: 1.22
A clear symbol of The MongolZ’s breakthrough. Mzinho played without fear, confidently taking duels even against top teams, and helped turn his lineup into one of the tournament’s biggest stories.
8. kyousuke (Falcons) — Rating 3.0: 1.22
One of the biggest revelations of the Major. Kyousuke showed consistent firepower and a willingness to step up in difficult moments, signaling long-term potential for Falcons.
9. iM (Natus Vincere) — Rating 3.0: 1.19
While less visible in raw stats, iM’s contribution was essential to NAVI’s structure. He maintained tempo, supported teammates, and provided steady value throughout the event.
10. makazze (Natus Vincere) — Rating 3.0: 1.17
A young player who handled his first Major with maturity. Makazze added depth and stability to NAVI’s lineup and showed readiness for top-tier competition.
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The ZywOo Major: Why This Tournament Became His Benchmark
In conclusion, StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 showed that structure and consistency are the true currency of CS2. ZywOo earned MVP not because he dominated every map, but because he never disappeared from the game. As a result, Vitality deservedly lifted the trophy, donk confirmed his superstar potential, and both NAVI and The MongolZ highlighted a new generation ready to challenge for future Major titles.
