Aleksib on w0nderful: “He’s World-Class, But Too Hard on Himself”

Natus Vincere captain Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen has once again emphasized the importance of confidence in unlocking the full potential of Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov, highlighting both the player’s mental struggles and his undeniable world-class ability following NAVI’s recent success.

Speaking after NAVI secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Aurora at BLAST Open Rotterdam, Aleksib addressed the fluctuating form of his AWPer. While w0nderful delivered a strong showing on Nuke in that series, his overall performance in the tournament has not matched the exceptional level he displayed just days earlier at ESL Pro League Season 23. 

That contrast is particularly striking given how crucial w0nderful was in NAVI’s recent title run. In the Pro League grand final, the Ukrainian sniper was the standout performer, finishing the best-of-five with a 1.56 rating and playing a decisive role in securing the trophy. 

Aleksib made it clear that short-term dips in form should not overshadow such impact. According to the Finnish in-game leader, one of the biggest challenges is managing w0nderful’s self-criticism. He explained that the young AWPer tends to be overly harsh on himself, even when contributing positively to the team’s results. As a result, Aleksib sees part of his leadership role as constantly reinforcing the player’s confidence and reminding him of his true level.

This focus on mentality is not new within NAVI. Previous interviews throughout late 2025 already pointed to confidence as a key factor in w0nderful’s performances. During the StarLadder Budapest Major, Aleksib linked the player’s standout 1.77-rated run to improvements in mindset, suggesting that belief and mental stability directly translate into better in-game output. 

NAVI’s coaching staff has echoed similar sentiments. Coach Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy previously revealed that the team had actively worked on addressing psychological barriers affecting w0nderful’s consistency. According to him, earlier struggles were tied not to mechanical skill but to internal pressure and hesitation. When those issues were managed, the AWPer was capable of tournament-winning performances. 

Aleksib’s latest comments reinforce that narrative. He pointed out that when w0nderful trusts himself and feels supported by the team, he can deliver superstar-level performances exactly when it matters most. This was evident in the Pro League final, where he effectively became the “savior” of the series, carrying NAVI through critical moments. 

Beyond individual form, NAVI currently find themselves in a strong position as a team. The victory over Aurora extended their winning streak and maintained the momentum gained from their recent trophy run. With confidence high and results backing them up, the squad is now looking ahead to deeper playoff runs in Rotterdam.

However, Aleksib remains realistic about the challenges ahead. He acknowledged that potential matchups against elite teams like Vitality will require an even higher level of performance. Still, he believes NAVI possess the necessary tools to compete, especially if they maintain their current confidence and cohesion.

Ultimately, the situation surrounding w0nderful illustrates a broader theme within top-tier Counter-Strike: at the highest level, the difference between good and great often lies not in raw skill, but in mental resilience. For NAVI, ensuring that their star AWPer maintains belief in himself could be the key factor that determines whether they remain contenders—or become consistent champions.