apEX After IEM Krakow 2026 Win: “Even After Success, Work Harder” — Vitality Begin CS2 Season on Top

Team Vitality captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire issued a strong warning to the CS2 scene immediately after lifting the IEM Krakow 2026 trophy: success should never slow a team down.

After defeating FURIA 3–1 in the grand final, Vitality secured their first Tier-1 title of 2026 and extended one of the most dominant eras in modern Counter-Strike.

Shortly after the win, apEX posted a message that quickly spread across the community:

“Even if you have achieved success, work even harder — you never know when the dark times will begin.”

The quote perfectly captures Vitality’s mindset heading into the new competitive season.

Why This Statement Matters for the CS2 Scene

Vitality’s Era of Dominance Continues

Vitality are not simply winning — they are building a legacy.

Key achievements:

9 Tier-1 trophies in 2025

ESL Grand Slam champions

IEM Krakow 2026 winners

Strong start to the new CS2 season

This level of consistency places Vitality in conversations alongside the greatest Counter-Strike eras.

ZywOo Delivers One of the Best Tournament Performances Ever

The Krakow victory was powered by Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, who delivered a historic MVP run.

Key stats from IEM Krakow 2026:

1.59 HLTV rating

Best Big Event performance of his career

Tournament MVP medal

ZywOo himself confirmed the significance of the event:

“I can say it was my best performance that I’ve ever played in a tournament.”

For many analysts, this event strengthened ZywOo’s case as the best CS2 player in the world.

apEX’s Leadership Philosophy: No Complacency

This is not the first time apEX has spoken about the dangers of success.
In recent interviews, the Vitality captain emphasized the team’s long-term goal:

Staying competitive throughout 2026

Continuing to win trophies

Building a legacy strong enough to rival historic CS dynasties

His post-Krakow message reinforces a consistent theme: Vitality are chasing greatness, not just trophies.

IEM Krakow 2026 Breaks Viewership Records

The tournament also proved massive for the CS2 ecosystem.

IEM Krakow 2026 became:

The most-watched non-Major Counter-Strike event ever

~1.37 million peak viewers

Over 40 million hours watched

The numbers highlight the growing global interest in CS2 esports.

What’s Next for Vitality?

Vitality’s next challenge arrives quickly.

Upcoming event:
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 — February 14–22

The team now has a chance to continue their winning streak and cement early control of the 2026 season.

Why apEX’s Quote Resonates With the CS2 Community

Top captains often share the same mindset:
Winning once is hard — staying on top is harder.

apEX’s message reflects the reality of elite Counter-Strike:

The meta changes quickly

Competition is stronger than ever

Dominance requires constant improvement

In other words, Vitality are already preparing for the moment they stop winning.