Vitality’s victory over FaZe in the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Grand Final marked a historic moment for both the team and its captain. Dan “apEX” Madesclaire secured his fourth Major title and his third as an in-game leader, placing himself firmly at the center of the debate about the greatest IGLs in Counter-Strike history.
From Paris to Budapest: a journey few could have imagined
When apEX took over as Vitality’s IGL in 2020, he did not expect this outcome. After the Budapest final, he admitted that four Major titles went far beyond his original ambitions:
When I started as an IGL, I never imagined that one day I would have four Majors, three of them as a captain. It’s just crazy.
Each Major win carries its own meaning. Paris Major 2023 symbolized a breakthrough. It was a home event with low expectations and the first real belief in the project. apEX openly acknowledged that Vitality were not favorites at the time:
Paris will always be special. No one expected us to win, especially since we had only one trophy before.
He described the Austin Major as the peak of an almost perfect year. The Budapest Major 2025, however, felt different. It was colder in emotion, but just as important.
Budapest Major: the best team of the year delivers
Vitality did not arrive in Budapest as undisputed favorites. Pressure followed them from the start. Several matches raised questions about consistency. apEX admitted that expectations weighed heavily on the team:
We were not the favorites. But in big tournaments, the best team of the year can bounce back. That’s what we did.
Vitality improved step by step. They relied less on aggression and more on tempo control, economy management, and late-round decision-making. In the playoffs, the team looked composed and pragmatic. The Grand Final against FaZe reflected this approach. Vitality avoided chaos and played with a clear plan. They knew exactly where the series had to be closed.
FaZe, karrigan, and the evolving GOAT debate
FaZe’s loss did not remove them from the spotlight. Instead, it intensified one of the season’s biggest discussions. karrigan once again led a roster to a Major final. He proved his ability to build elite teams across different eras. apEX addressed the inevitable comparisons but stressed that the GOAT debate remains subjective:
People liked Astralis because there were no big superstar players. gla1ve could frag more than me. There will always be a debate. I don’t know who the GOAT is. But what we did this year is crazy.
Budapest reinforced one clear idea. apEX and karrigan now operate in a league of their own, ahead of most historical IGLs.
Astralis 2018 vs Vitality 2025: the numbers matter
On the day of the final, apEX compared Vitality’s season with Astralis’ legendary 2018 run:
Astralis won 10 out of 18 tournaments in one year. We won 9 out of 16. Percentage-wise, we are even slightly better. In 2018, they won one Major. We won two.
Still, he quickly added context:
To be considered the greatest team of all time, we need to wait. We have only had one truly successful year, even if it was an incredible one.
Community reaction: the GOAT debate expands
After the final, discussion around apEX moved beyond celebration. On forums and social media, fans shifted the focus toward historical IGL comparisons.
Many placed apEX directly alongside karrigan, arguing that these two define modern leadership in Counter-Strike. A common view emerged: apEX can no longer be excluded from the GOAT conversation.
Others highlighted context. They compared karrigan’s Major finals with different lineups to apEX’s dominance within a single system. This contrast — longevity versus peak efficiency — shaped most debates.
Fans also mentioned gla1ve, FalleN, pronax, Zeus, and aleksib. Still, the consensus remained clear. Budapest raised the bar, leaving apEX and karrigan in a category of their own.
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What’s next: a legacy under pressure
After the Budapest triumph, Vitality enter 2026 as the team to beat. Rivals prepare roster changes. Expectations continue to rise. apEX outlined his goals with calm confidence:
The first goal next year is the back-to-back Grand Slam. Then comes the Major in Cologne. It’s a good place to win. Let’s see if we can take a third Major in a row.
The GOAT debate did not end in Budapest. But it stopped being hypothetical. It now rests on results, trophies, and consistency. The next season will show whether 2025 was the peak — or the beginning of a new era.
