How ZywOo Surpassed s1mple in CS
How ZywOo Surpassed s1mple in CS

In the world of Counter-Strike, we've all been accustomed to the fact that Sasha "s1mple" is undoubtedly the greatest player in the history of the game. Since his rise in 2018, when he forced HLTV to change its rules to acknowledge him as the top player, all eyes have been on his unique playstyle and incredible skill. However, time moves on, and every year new talents emerge, trying to challenge the old legends. One such player is Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut, the Frenchman who became a true sensation on the professional scene. Today, we’ll explore whether ZywOo has truly managed to dethrone s1mple and become the new best player in the world: ZywOo vs s1mple.
2019: A Turning Point for ZywOo, 2020: ZywOo’s Victory and Growing Status, 2022-2023: New Challenges and Slumps, 2025: s1mple’s Return and ZywOo’s Dominance, Conclusion
2019: A Turning Point for ZywOo
2019 was a pivotal year for both players. While s1mple was trying to stabilize the Na'Vi roster and dealing with the departures of Edward and Zeus, the French team Vitality was rapidly gaining momentum. In just one year, ZywOo went from a newcomer to the best player of the year, surpassing Sasha in all key metrics, including MVP medals and overall ratings.
ZywOo's early successes were a true shock to the community. The young Frenchman not only confidently took the number-one spot in the player rankings but also showcased incredible consistency in his play. He won five MVP medals in his debut season, while s1mple had only one. Even players like GeT_RiGhT admitted that no one could have believed that a rookie would so quickly compete with the best.
2020: ZywOo’s Victory and Growing Status
2020 continued the trend: ZywOo CS2 was again crowned the best, despite s1mple’s efforts. However, despite his consistency and numerous titles, many analysts still considered s1mple the more talented player, emphasizing his unique playstyle and ability to adapt to any situation.
The comparison between the two players gained even more significance when, in 2021, s1mple finally achieved what he had long been waiting for: he became the best player of the year when Na'Vi won the Major in Stockholm. This marked the peak of s1mple’s career, with his entire team fully supporting his level of play, and Na'Vi became unstoppable. For ZywOo, 2021 was not as bright, and he was unable to replicate the success of previous years.
2022-2023: New Challenges and Slumps
2022 proved to be a tough year for both players. For s1mple, it was a period of instability within Na'Vi, while for ZywOo, it was a dip in individual form due to internal problems in Vitality. Both teams faced difficulties, but ultimately, s1mple showed his class again, winning several titles and becoming the best player of 2022.
2023 brought even greater challenges as s1mple had to rebuild the Na'Vi roster and adapt to the new version of the game — CS2. s1mple vs ZywOo: meanwhile, ZywOo continued to deliver stable results, but s1mple, despite changes in his team, proved that he was still capable of competing at the highest level.
2025: s1mple’s Return and ZywOo’s Dominance
By early 2025, the situation had dramatically changed. s1mple, temporarily playing for FaZe Clan, showed once again that he was capable of returning to his peak level. While ZywOo continued to dominate in CS2 and win tournaments, many analysts stated that his success in the new version of the game solidified his place at the top as the best player.
However, even with ZywOo’s achievements, we must not forget that Sasha "s1mple" remains a unique figure in Counter-Strike, whose influence on the game and playstyle is impossible to replicate. Even if his days as a top player are behind him, his legacy and accomplishments in CS:GO are still unmatched by other players.
Conclusion
s1mple vs ZywOo? As of today, many believe that the title of the best player can be divided by eras. Sasha "s1mple" became a legend in CS:GO, but in the new version of the game, CS2, Mathieu "ZywOo" has undoubtedly taken his place. However, this transition does not mean that s1mple has lost his status as the greatest player in Counter-Strike history; rather, it indicates that each era has its own leaders.
The question remains: can s1mple make a comeback and reclaim his status as the best player in the world? For now, the answer to this question remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: both of these players have become true icons of CS, and their legacy in esports will live on for a long time.
What do you think? Who, in your opinion, deserves to be called the best player in the history of Counter-Strike?