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Counter-Strike legend Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyljev is set to make his long-awaited return to professional CS2 as he takes part in the Perfect World Shanghai Major qualifiers.
A Year Away From the Spotlight
When Valve first announced CS2, many Counter-Strike pros were skeptical about the transition. While it was clear that Valve needed to release something new to compete with the rising popularity of Valorant, the game’s mechanics and features weren’t exactly what longtime players were expecting.
As a result, some of the most iconic names in CS:GO began to step back from the game. One of those names was s1mple, widely considered the greatest CS:GO player of all time. Taking a hiatus, he benched himself from Natus Vincere (Na’Vi), leaving fans to wonder if they’d ever see him back in action.
During his break, Na’Vi didn’t miss a beat. The team went on to achieve remarkable success in CS2, claiming titles such as the PGL Copenhagen Major, the Esports World Cup, and ESL Pro League Season 20. However, s1mple’s return to professional play remained an unanswered question.
A Glimpse of Hope: Joining Falcons on Loan
In 2024, s1mple made a brief return to competitive play when he joined Falcons on loan for the BLAST Premier: Spring Showdown. This one-off tournament hinted at a possible return to form, and fans were left hopeful for a more permanent comeback after s1mple got the chance to play CS2 on LAN.
Now, that return is materializing. S1mple is rejoining Falcons once again, this time for the Perfect World Shanghai Major qualifiers, reigniting the excitement around his return to the professional CS2 circuit.
A Shuffling Roster and a Strategic Move
According to HLTV, s1mple will be replacing Alvaro ‘SunPayus’ Garcia, who had joined Falcons from ENCE in December 2023. SunPayus’ tenure with the team lasted less than a year before being replaced, raising questions about the team’s roster strategy.
Falcons had initially targeted s1mple when building their superteam, with hopes of pairing him up with Nikola ‘Niko’ Kovac. However, despite s1mple’s brief stint with the team on loan, Niko remains with G2, keeping the dream pairing on hold—at least for now.
Whether this second loan move will evolve into a permanent deal for s1mple remains to be seen. What’s certain, however, is that getting him back in professional CS2 is something fans across the globe are eagerly anticipating. His return to the game could shake up the competitive scene and rekindle his legendary form.
Falcons’ CS2 Roster
- Snappi
- S1mple (Loan)
- dupreeh
- Magisk
- Maden
