Perfecto Takes Over as Virtus.pro IGL—A New Captain for a Team in Transition

Perfecto Takes Over as Virtus.pro IGL—A New Captain for a Team in Transition

Virtus.pro has confirmed that Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy will take over as the team’s new in-game leader (IGL), succeeding electricNic, who was recently benched following a string of disappointing results. The role change was described by the organization as a “unanimous” decision, aimed at stabilizing team performance. 

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Background & Timing

Perfecto, a Major-winning veteran (PGL Major Stockholm 2021), and former pillar of Natus Vincere and Cloud9, joined Virtus.pro’s CS2 roster in June 2025, replacing fl4MUS. His signing brought an infusion of experience and composure to the team. 

Less than three months later, Virtus.pro relieved IGL Denis “electroNic” Sharipov from active duty, citing a failure to consistently compete at top-level events. “We weren’t able to build a team that could consistently fight for top positions,” Virtus.pro CEO Nikolai Petrossian noted. The demotion followed another last-place finish at BLAST Open London—continuing a troubling trend of poor results across recent tournaments. 

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Strategic Shift & Leadership Goals

As IGL, Perfecto is entrusted with running the team’s strategies, setting tactical direction, and coordinating execution across maps. Although IGL is a new role for him, Virtus.pro emphasized his deep understanding of the game, leadership qualities, and wealth of professional experience, positioning him as the ideal stabilizing force. 

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Supporting Changes: Academy Promotion & Full Roster

To fill the strategic anchor role vacated by Perfecto’s reassignment, Virtus.pro has promoted 17-year-old Vadim “tO0RO” Arkov from their academy squad. The teen's promotion immediately restores Virtus.pro to a full, five-man main roster ready for upcoming events. "[tO0RO] impressed in the anchor role, and for now the choice has fallen on him," the organization stated. 

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What Lies Ahead: Tournaments & Objectives

Virtus.pro’s next test comes at FISSURE Playground 2 (Belgrade), a $1.25 million tournament featuring elite competition including The MongolZ, FURIA, and FaZe—offering Perfecto and the revamped VP squad a stage to prove their recalibrated leadership structure. 

The leadership change arrives as Virtus.pro look to end a pattern of underperformance. Recent results include:

• 9th–12th at IEM Cologne Stage 1

• 5th–8th at BLAST Bounty Season 2 Finals

• 13th–16th at Esports World Cup

• Last place at BLAST Open London (knockout by M80)

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Player Snapshot: Perfecto

• Born November 24, 1999

• Major CS2 career highlights:

  • Stockholm Major 2021 champion with NAVI

  • Multiple international titles and high HLTV rankings

• Prior to Virtus.pro, played for:

  • Natus Vincere (2020–2023)

  • Cloud9 (2023–2025), where he was benched before going free agency in April 2025

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Community Reaction

HLTV forums and Reddit already brimmed with discussion—some cynically doubting Perfecto's ability to captain a struggling roster despite praising his experience:

“Perfecto’s career was already dead. Only chance he has is to transition to being a good IGL.”
“But he can compensate with smarts, s1mple called him a genius…”

These reactions reflect community skepticism tempered with hope that leadership chemistry can revive VP’s season.

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Recap Table

Role/Change	Details
New IGL	Perfecto takes over from electroNic
Anchor Role Filled	tO0RO promoted from academy
Goal	Stabilize VP’s performance, improve tournament outcomes
Upcoming Event	FISSURE Playground 2 (Belgrade), multi-million-dollar prize pool
Strategic Vision	Leverage experience and teamwork to climb VRS, regain form
Community Pulse	Mixed optimism and skepticism about Perfecto’s leadership debut