Once the face of Natus Vincere and the undisputed king of CS:GO, s1mple now finds himself benched. His return to greatness seems more uncertain than ever.
In the history of competitive Counter-Strike, few names have reached the legendary status of Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev. Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time in CS:GO, s1mple's dominance throughout the Global Offensive era remains unmatched. However, as the competitive scene has transitioned well into CS2, questions loom large over his future.
A Legendary Career
The accolades s1mple has accumulated are staggering. A three-time HLTV Player of the Year (2018, 2021, 2022), s1mple's mechanical skill, versatility, and in-game IQ set him apart as a once-in-a-generation talent. His crowning achievement came in 2021, when NAVI claimed the prestigious PGL Stockholm Major without dropping a single map. It was the culmination of years of brilliance and perseverance, as s1mple led NAVI to glory.
For many fans, s1mple’s unmatched dominance in this period secured his status as the GOAT. Yet, even the brightest stars can fade, and the beginning of that decline can be traced back to a series of seismic shifts within NAVI's roster following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
The Fall of NAVI’s Golden Era
The war disrupted much of NAVI’s cohesion, starting with the departure of their captain, Kirill “Boombl4” Mikhailov, in 2022. Boombl4’s leadership was instrumental in NAVI’s success, and his exit - influenced by political circumstances, surrounding him and his wife - coincided with the team’s heartbreaking loss to FaZe Clan in the PGL Antwerp Major final. It was a match many believe NAVI could have won under different circumstances, but the cracks in the roster began to show.
Over the next year, NAVI reached several finals but failed to replicate their dominance. The downward spiral culminated in a disappointing performance at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, where they failed to make the playoffs. Following this failure, two of s1mple’s most reliable teammates, Denis “electroNic” Sharipov and Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy, left for Cloud9. With their departure, s1mple and Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy were the only remaining members of NAVI’s championship-winning squad. NAVI transitioned into an international roster - a move that yielded mixed results at first.
While s1mple continued to post respectable statistics, his once-dominant ability to single-handedly win games began to wane. His decline reached a critical point, when NAVI made the grand final of ESL Pro League Season 18, the last Tier 1 CS:GO event before the transition to CS2, only to suffer a crushing 3-0 loss to MOUZ. Shortly afterward, s1mple stepped down from NAVI’s active roster.
Ironically, in s1mple’s absence, NAVI’s international roster found enormous success in 2024. Under their new composition, NAVI won the first CS2 Major, the PGL Copenhagen Major, alongside other prestigious tournaments such as ESL Pro League Season 20, IEM Rio 2024, and the Esports World Cup. It was a bittersweet development, as the organization s1mple helped build into a powerhouse thrived without him, further casting doubt on whether he would ever regain his position at the top.
Struggles in CS2: A New Game, a Different s1mple
When CS2 officially launched, s1mple was vocal about his dissatisfaction with the new game’s state. He also grappled with motivation issues and visa/documentation problems, which kept him inactive for months. His return to competition came in March 2024, when he joined Falcons on a one-month loan. However, despite the hype surrounding his comeback, his performances were lackluster.
In September 2024, Falcons gave s1mple another chance, signing him for the remainder of the year with the goal of qualifying for the PerfectWorld Shanghai Major. While s1mple showed flashes of his brilliance, he fell short of expectations, unable to carry Falcons as he had NAVI in his prime. The team failed to qualify, and Falcons announced they would not retain him permanently.
Now back on NAVI’s bench, s1mple remains without a team as 2025 begins. The once-undisputed best player in the world faces an uncertain future in a game that has moved on without him.
Occasionally a Difficult Teammate
While s1mple’s skill is undeniable, his reputation as a teammate is more complicated. Known for his high standards and fiery temperament, he has often clashed with teammates, even publicly flaming some of his closest allies. Clips of s1mple’s toxic outbursts have circulated widely, painting a picture of a perfectionist whose demand for excellence could sometimes alienate those around him.
Additionally, s1mple’s buyout price remains prohibitively high, further complicating potential moves to other teams. But the biggest question mark is his motivation. Like Kenny “kennyS” Schrub - another legendary AWPer who struggled to regain his form after being benched from G2 - s1mple seems to have lost the hunger that once drove him to be the best. Time away from the server has dulled his edge, and with each passing day, the prospect of a triumphant return grows dimmer.
Can s1mple Find His Mojo Again?
For fans of Counter-Strike, wanting the best possible CS to watch, s1mple’s struggles are a shame. The game has always been at its best when its best players are in peak form, and s1mple was the very embodiment of excellence. His ability to redefine what was possible in CS:GO inspired countless players and elevated the game’s competitive scene to new heights.
Yet, as the CS2 era unfolds, s1mple’s future remains shrouded in doubt. While the door isn’t entirely closed on a comeback, the challenges he faces - age, motivation, and the demands of an evolving game - are formidable. If he cannot rediscover his hunger and adapt to CS2, his story may end as a cautionary tale, of a legend whose time at the top was all too brief.
Still, hope lingers. Fans and analysts alike continue to root for s1mple to find his way back. After all, greatness rarely fades quietly, and if anyone can overcome the odds, it’s s1mple. Whether or not he does, one thing remains certain: s1mple’s legacy as the GOAT of CS:GO is secure, and the echoes of his brilliance will resonate for years to come. He has created a stunning resume, forever.