NiKo Opens Up on Leaving G2, Embracing New Role at Falcons, and Helping kyousuke Reach His Potential

NiKo Reflects on Career and Decision to Leave G2

Nikola NiKo Kovač, one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic riflers and a multi-time HLTV Top 20 player, recently sat down with HLTV’s Freya Spiers to revisit his journey from a young player in Bosnia to his current role at Team Falcons.

NiKo confirmed that talks with Falcons began before IEM Sydney 2023, but he opted to stay at G2 Esports for another season after realizing the organization was open to letting him go. He said that the lack of a genuine effort from G2 to retain him — no discussions about changing his role or addressing his concerns — ultimately pushed him toward accepting Falcons' offer.

Although earlier transfer negotiations occurred, NiKo formally moved at the end of 2024, completing one of the longest and most talked-about transfer sagas in CS history.

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Reuniting With m0NESY and New Team Dynamics

Since joining Falcons, NiKo reunited with m0NESY, the Russian AWPer who also left G2 earlier in 2025 to join the Saudi organization. Together with other signings like René TeSeS Madsen and North Macedonia’s Damjan kyxsan, Falcons assembled a high-profile roster expected to challenge for top honors.

Another major addition was the 17-year-old Russian prodigy Maxim kyousuke Lukin, signed from Spirit (with reports suggesting Falcons paid around a $2 million buyout to acquire him). His recruitment from Spirit Academy marked one of the most expensive transfers for a young, unproven talent and underscored Falcons’ long-term vision.

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NiKo’s Role Shift for kyousuke

A key theme of the interview was NiKo’s candid explanation of how his individual role changed in Falcons’ tactical setup. With kyousuke joining to take star position-taking duties — similar to NiKo’s own historical role in major teams — NiKo willingly stepped into more supportive positions. He stressed that this shift wasn’t about ego but about maximizing the team’s chance of success, saying he would “give up roles” for players like kyousuke or donk if it improved their prospects.

NiKo’s comment illuminates why his personal statistics dipped during parts of the season — he played fewer traditional entry and high-impact spots compared to his peak years.

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Season 2025: Near-Misses and First Trophy

Falcons’ 2025 campaign was a mix of promise and frustration. The team reached five finals, narrowly missing out on several premier trophies, but did secure their first trophy at PGL Bucharest 2025, notably beating NiKo’s former team, G2, in the final.

Despite successes, consistent performances at tier-one events proved elusive, and Falcons opted not to overhaul the roster in the 2025 offseason. Instead, they strengthened the coaching and analytics staff by adding Aymen “Aymeinstein” Bencheikh as an analyst coach to help with in-game preparation and strategy.

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Looking Ahead to 2026

NiKo emphasized that Falcons are still building toward their peak. He believes the team now has a solid core — combining youthful firepower like kyousuke and m0NESY with his own experience — and that the next step is consistent execution at the highest level.

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Who Is kyousuke?

Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin emerged as one of the brightest young talents in CS2 during 2025. A 17-year-old Russian rifler known for aggressive play and high individual ratings, he stood out as a star in Spirit Academy before being courted and signed by Falcons to help elevate the squad’s upside.

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Summary of Key Facts

• NiKo left G2 Esports after failing to feel wanted/valued in new contract talks, choosing a fresh start with Team Falcons.

• m0NESY also joined Falcons, reuniting with NiKo and forming a formidable core.

• Falcons invested heavily in kyousuke, whose signing reshaped NiKo’s role to a more supportive capacity.

• Falcons reached multiple finals in 2025 and won PGL Bucharest 2025.

• NiKo expects Falcons to grow even more in 2026 with internal cohesion and experience.