November 9 is a special day for all Counter-Strike fans. On this day exactly 25 years ago, in 2000, the world saw the first version of the legendary shooter that forever changed esports. And on the same day, a boy was born who would become the face of a new era of the game — Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut. The irony of fate turned into a symbol: the birth of the player and the birth of the game happened at the same time. Now, a quarter of a century later, both celebrate an anniversary — and both stand at the very top.
The Chosen One — a title by destiny
ZywOo earned the nickname “The Chosen One” for good reason. Born on November 9, 2000, in France, he started playing Counter-Strike as a child. Even as a teenager, his mechanics and composure impressed veteran players. He entered the professional scene in 2016, playing for nevermind, E-Corp, and aAa before joining Team Vitality in 2018 — the moment his true era began.
Since then, ZywOo has become a two-time Major champion — BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 and BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 — won 19 trophies, claimed 27 MVP awards, and was named HLTV’s best player of the year three times: in 2019, 2020, and 2021. His precision, reaction time, and understanding of the game have long elevated him beyond the label of a “star” — he has become a living legend of modern CS2.
A symbolic coincidence and a chance to make history
It seems fate has prepared yet another historic gift for ZywOo. Today, on November 9, he can not only celebrate his 25th birthday but also win the 20th trophy of his career if Team Vitality triumphs in the IEM Chengdu 2025 Grand Final. This tournament could also grant Mathieu another MVP title, allowing him to equal s1mple’s record for the number of MVP medals won in a single year — an achievement many once thought untouchable.
His current rating of 1.28 remains among the highest of all players in the tournament. In matches against MOUZ, Astralis, and G2, the Frenchman consistently carried his team through critical rounds, combining an aggressive playstyle with surgical precision. 96/100 Firepower, 87/100 Sniping, and 73/100 Clutching — this is not just a stat line, it’s ZywOo’s personal signature of perfection.
A legacy that cannot be erased
In the world of Counter-Strike, there are players who win tournaments, and there are those who define eras. ZywOo belongs to the latter. His playstyle is a fusion of intellect, instinct, and technical mastery. He never yells, never shows unnecessary emotion, but his calmness is his weapon. It has broken dozens of opponents and brought Vitality the reputation of a dominant force in CS2.
ZywOo is often compared to s1mple, but there is a fundamental difference between them. While the Ukrainian is fire, emotion, and spectacle, the Frenchman is calculation and pure mastery. His career is proof that discipline and consistency can triumph even where others rely only on inspiration.
The perfect day for a legend
Today, the story comes full circle. On November 9, 2000, the world saw the game that reshaped an industry — and the player who became its highest form of evolution. Twenty-five years later, both remain at the pinnacle. If Vitality lifts the trophy today in Chengdu, ZywOo will not just win another tournament — he will symbolically complete the circle: from the first bullet fired in Counter-Strike to the highest peak of CS2.
