Brazilian CS2 Team Imperial Bring in Promising AWPer levi Amid Roster Overhaul

Brazilian CS2 Team Imperial Bring in Promising AWPer levi Amid Roster Overhaul

Brazilian Counter-Strike 2 organization Imperial have officially announced the signing of 21-year-old AWPer Guilherme “levi” Gustavo as part of a broader roster reshuffle that comes in the wake of several lineup changes and recent under-whelming results. 

The move marks a strategic shift for Imperial as they look to rebuild following the departure of key figures and disappointing performances in major events late last year. Levi joins Imperial after being benched by South American side 9z Team, arriving to fill the vacancy left by Santino “try” Rigal, who recently transferred to Ukrainian organization Passion UA. 

Background: Imperial’s Recent Struggles and Roster Turmoil

Imperial have been undergoing significant changes after a period of middling results. The team competed at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, one of the year’s most prestigious Counter-Strike 2 events, but were eliminated in Stage 3 of the Swiss format, falling 2-0 to Passion UA in their match on December 6, 2025 — a result that underscored the team’s struggles to consistently compete with upper-level squads. 

Following the Major, Imperial began reshaping their lineup. Shortly before signing levi, the team benched veteran rifler Felipe “skullz” Medeiros, ending his six-month run in the starting lineup. Skullz’s performance had been modest, with a roughly 1.01 rating across 110 maps during his tenure — a figure that did not meet expectations after earlier success in other teams. 

With try already gone and skullz moved to the bench, Imperial were left with openings in both their AWP position and their rifling core. Reports indicate that Lucas “decenty” Bacelar, a player previously with the organization, is close to re-joining the active roster, although that move had not yet been finalized as of the latest announcements. 

Who Is levi?

Guilherme “levi” Gustavo is a young Brazilian AWPer whose career trajectory has seen him rise through the South American ranks. Originally making his mark with teams such as Sharks Youngsters and ex-W7M, levi drew attention with strong statistical peaks in regional competitions. He posted notable performances with impressive ratings — including a 1.22 and 1.42 rating during deep runs at ECL Season 50 SA Cup 4 and CCT SA Series 6 — although over time he struggled with consistency, averaging around a 1.04 rating over his stint with 9z. 

His potential was recognized internationally, as evidenced by his inclusion in HLTV Prospects Season 2 in early 2026, where he was ranked among global up-and-coming players (#44). 

According to profile information available on HLTV.org, levi is currently listed as part of Imperial’s active roster, having officially transferred from 9z earlier in February 2026. 

Imperial’s Current Lineup

Following the latest changes, Imperial’s confirmed active lineup for Counter-Strike 2 consists of:

• Marcelo “chelo” Cespedes — Brazilian entry fragger and veteran presence. 

• Kaiky “noway” Santos — Brazilian rifler known for versatile play. 

• Vinicius “VINI” Figueiredo — Experienced Brazilian rifler.

• Guilherme “levi” Gustavo — Newly signed AWPer.

• Rafael “zakk” Fernandes — Team coach.

One starting spot remains open due to the benching of skullz, with decenty widely reported as the expected newcomer once negotiations conclude. 

What This Means for Imperial Going Forward

The integration of levi into Imperial’s starting five highlights the organization’s belief in youth and potential, especially in an era where South American Counter-Strike crews are increasingly competitive on the global stage. While levi has yet to prove himself at the highest echelons of LAN competition, his strong standout performances in regional play suggest he could bring fresh firepower to the AWP role — a position where Imperial have struggled to find a long-term solution. 

Imperial’s broader restructuring also comes amid a dynamic competitive landscape following the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, which concluded with Team Vitality crowned champions and reflecting how elevated the global level of play has become. 

With the new roster still taking shape, Imperial will be expected to continue competing in South American and international events through 2026, aiming to secure invites to higher-tier tournaments and improve on last year’s results. The team’s next major opportunities to test this new lineup will likely involve regional qualifiers and Challenger-level events ahead of future Majors.