The Case for ZywOo as the GOAT

ZywOo’s resume is ridiculous. He’s been crowned HLTV’s Player of the Year three times (2019, 2020, 2023), tying s1mple for the most in history. He’s also the current record holder for HLTV MVP awards, surpassing s1mple’s 21 with 22 of his own. Since his breakout in 2019, he’s never finished outside the top three in HLTV’s annual rankings. Nobody in CS history has debuted at the level ZywOo did and maintained that level for so long.

Team Success: Winning Despite the Odds

The one argument often thrown against ZywOo is that his teams haven’t been as dominant as those of his peers. Device had Astralis, a dynasty that won four Majors. S1mple had NAVI in 2021, arguably the greatest single-year team performance in CS history. ZywOo, meanwhile, has often had to hard-carry. But despite this, he’s a Major winner (BLAST Paris 2023), an IEM Rio champion, and has lifted countless elite-tier trophies. He’s not just putting up numbers—he’s winning.

Versatility and Adaptability: A Complete Player

ZywOo doesn’t just dominate; he does it in every conceivable way. He’s a world-class AWPer, but he can also rifle at an elite level. He clutches like a seasoned veteran and never seems rattled, regardless of the situation. While s1mple is known for his high-risk, high-reward aggression, ZywOo is a more balanced force—efficient, calm, and seemingly always in control.

Longevity: The Final Piece of the Puzzle?

At 24, ZywOo has already done more than most players accomplish in their entire careers. And now, in Counter-Strike 2, he’s proving that he’s not just a CS:GO superstar—he’s a Counter-Strike superstar. If he continues this trajectory for another few years, the GOAT conversation might become a lot less complicated.

The Argument Against ZywOo as the GOAT

S1mple’s Peak Was Higher

At his absolute best, s1mple was untouchable. His 2021 was the single most dominant year a player has ever had, culminating in an Intel Grand Slam, a Major title, and a level of individual performance that even ZywOo hasn’t matched. S1mple wasn’t just winning; he was redefining how the game was played.

Device’s Trophy Case is Heavier

If we measure greatness by trophies alone, device’s four Major wins put him in a league of his own. He might not have the same individual dominance as s1mple or ZywOo, but his consistency over a decade and ability to thrive in a structured system make him the most successful CS player of all time.

The Intangibles: Charisma and Narrative Matter

Here’s the real reason some hesitate to call ZywOo the greatest: he doesn’t have the same aura as s1mple. Greatness isn’t just about stats—it’s about defining an era, being a larger-than-life figure. S1mple wasn’t just a beast in the server; he was a storyline. From his fiery attitude to his redemption arc, he felt like the face of Counter-Strike. ZywOo, in contrast, is more reserved, more passive. He lets his gameplay do the talking, but in an era where personality is just as important as performance, that might be holding him back in the GOAT debate.

The Verdict: Not Yet, But Soon?

Is ZywOo the greatest Counter-Strike player of all time? Right now, most would still say no. S1mple’s peak was too dominant, device’s trophy count too overwhelming. But if ZywOo continues his reign in CS2, if he stacks up more trophies and cements himself as the defining player of the new era, then the debate will shift. The numbers are already on his side—it’s just the narrative that needs to catch up.