Will s1mple Miss the PGL Counter-Strike 2 Major Copenhagen 2024?

The eagerly awaited PGL Counter-Strike 2 Major Copenhagen 2024 may not feature one of its most prominent stars, as it seems highly unlikely that s1mple will be part of NAVI’s lineup. The news about his continued absence was confirmed by B1ad3 on November 21 in an interview with HLTV. According to B1ad3, the main reason behind this decision is NAVI’s desire to maintain stability and avoid frequent player changes leading up to such a significant event.

“Building something substantial and being able to compete requires ample time before a Major,” explained B1ad3, shedding light on their cautious approach. He emphasized that for s1mple to return before the first Major of 2024, an unexpected turn of events would need to occur. Bringing back a player like s1mple entails rebuilding team dynamics around his role, which takes considerable time and effort.

In place of s1mple, NAVI currently has Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov in their roster. This young Ukrainian talent is yet to make his debut appearance for NAVI but has already made waves within teams like Sprout and Team Spirit during the early stages of his career. In fact, w0nderful boasts an impressive HLTV rating of 1.22 over the past year—a statistic reminiscent of s1mple’s performance level.

It should be noted that w0nderful’s experience with the Sprout lineup means he has had limited exposure to top-tier teams in the CS2 scene. However, his remarkable 1.77 rating against top five teams in the nine matches he has played during that time showcases his potential.

The arrival of w0nderful as NAVI’s newest AWPer necessitated adjustments to the team dynamic by B1ad3 and the rest of the international lineup. According to B1ad3, this change sparked a new sense of initiative among players, resulting in increased individual contributions on the battlefield.

With big shoes to fill, it remains uncertain whether w0nderful can replicate s1mple’s success within NAVI’s roster. Fans eagerly anticipate seeing him in action alongside his teammates at BLAST Premier Fall Final 2023—it will be an opportunity for both w0nderful and NAVI to prove their mettle.

As for s1mple enthusiasts, they must continue their wait patiently before witnessing the return of one of Counter-Strike’s greatest players—their beloved GOAT—in action once again.