Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov became the main star of BLAST Rivals 2025. Despite Falcons losing a dramatic grand final against FURIA, the 19-year-old sniper claimed the HLTV x 1XBET MVP award, once again proving his status as one of the strongest players in the world. His performance combined sharp aim, precision, and total composure — and served as another demonstration that m0NESY is in peak form.
“It hurts more than at EPL” — m0NESY on the missed chance on Mirage
Right after the final, the Russian sniper gave an emotional interview to HLTV, explaining why this loss hurts more than the 0–3 defeat to Vitality at ESL Pro League:
At EPL I was even smiling — we just lost 0–3 and went home. But here… here we had many chances. That’s why it hurts much more.
The defining moment of the final was the legendary 1v4 clutch from KSCERATO, which broke Falcons’ momentum and handed the initiative to the Brazilians. From that round onward, FURIA forced Falcons into mistakes, while the European squad began losing confidence and advantageous situations.
FURIA forced us into many mistakes. We lost too many 5v3s and 4v2s — you don’t win trophies like that.
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Falcons are rising, but still lack the final championship step
Despite the defeat, this season is the most stable in Falcons’ new era. kyxsan’s squad is no longer a “lucky” semifinalist — they are becoming a consistent title contender:
- strong, structured Inferno
- TeSeS providing constant impact
- NiKo acting as a second in-game leader on the CT side
- m0NESY as the main offensive force
Osipov is certain that trophies will come:
We’ll win upcoming tournaments. I’m only worried if we keep losing these advantageous situations.
m0NESY at the peak of individual form
The numbers speak for themselves:
- 1.42 Rating 3.0 — highest in the entire tournament
- +70 K-D
- 1.45 K/D
- crucial multikills against FURIA
- total consistency throughout the group stage
On Train and Mirage in the grand final, he played full “carry mode,” compensating for teammates’ struggles and dragging Falcons toward a third map.
I felt the game. I felt confident. I became better, but I still need experience to reach a new level.
TOP-10 PLAYERS OF BLAST RIVALS 2025 (Rating 3.0) — full editorial breakdown
Below is a detailed analysis of the strongest performers of the event. Each player shaped the tournament in their own way, but m0NESY topped the list with a dominant lead.
1. m0NESY (Falcons) — 1.42
The undeniable MVP and the brightest star of the event. His +70 K-D and dominance across all maps reflect the level of a true top-1 contender. Falcons may have lost, but individually he was nearly perfect.
2. JamYoung (TYLOO) — 1.32
Consistency, aggression, and composure. The best Asian player of the tournament and the main reason TYLOO looked competitive even against tier-1 opponents.
3. donk (Spirit) — 1.25
After a few months of inconsistency, donk rediscovered the “machine” form that terrorized tier-1 in 2024. Fewer flashy rounds, but the stability is back.
4. KSCERATO (FURIA) — 1.23
The clutch king of the tournament and the player who changed the course of the final. That iconic 1v4 on Mirage is one of the most impactful rounds of the 2025 season.
5. ZywOo (Vitality) — 1.21
Even when Vitality collapse, ZywOo remains near the top. He won impossible rounds and carried his team, though the “bees” had enough strength only for a top-4 finish.
6. biguzera (paiN) — 1.17
A captain who elevated his level once again. His impact in key rounds allowed paiN to compete with stronger teams and stay dangerous in tough series.
7. yuurih (FURIA) — 1.17
The silent backbone of FURIA’s championship run. Always reliable, always trading, always delivering. This was his best tournament of 2025.
8. YEKINDAR (FURIA) — 1.16
A phenomenal evolution in the entry role. Less chaotic, more structured, giving KSCERATO and molodoy ideal conditions to shine.
9. sh1ro (Spirit) — 1.14
Quiet, cold, and precise. He stabilized Spirit when donk struggled, acting as the perfect counterpart to his aggressive teammate.
10. controlez (The MongolZ) — 1.11
The breakthrough of the event. The young player proved he could replace Senzu and bring a new level of positional discipline and maturity rare for a 19-year-old.
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What’s next?
Falcons once again fell short of the trophy, but heading into the Major they now have two critical strengths:
- m0NESY in superstar form, playing like a top-3 player in the world
- a consistent top-4 trajectory, indicating a mature, competitive team
Osipov is confident:
We will win. We just need to stop throwing away stupid rounds.
FURIA lifted the trophy — but m0NESY became the undisputed star of BLAST Rivals 2025.
