s1mple Reacts to m0NESY’s Cologne Major Sticker Tribute: “Huge Respect — But I’ll Have My Own Sticker Too”

Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev has reacted to Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov’s tribute hidden inside his new CS2 Major autograph sticker, praising the young AWPer while confidently stating that he expects to receive his own Counter-Strike 2 sticker in the future.

The interaction between two of the biggest CS2 stars quickly attracted attention across the Counter-Strike community after fans noticed a reference to s1mple in m0NESY’s IEM Cologne 2026 Major autograph design. According to community discussions and reports, the Team Falcons sniper emphasized the letter “S” in his signature as a subtle nod to the NAVI legend who inspired him early in his career.

s1mple Responds to m0NESY’s Sticker Reference

During a Twitch broadcast hosted by streamer Zloy, s1mple commented on the tribute and thanked m0NESY for the gesture.

“Cool, cool. He left a little reference, but I’ll say this: huge respect. But I’ll still have my own sticker. That’s million-percent information,” s1mple said.

The BC.Game player also pointed out that while his old autograph stickers remain in Counter-Strike from the CS:GO era, he still has not received a dedicated CS2 Major sticker.

“I don’t have a CS2 sticker yet. They’re on weapons, but those are from CS:GO. It kind of looks like I’m not playing anymore. Of course, I understand he didn’t mean it that way. Huge respect.”

The original comments were first reported by Cybersport.ru. 

m0NESY Calls s1mple His Inspiration

m0NESY has repeatedly mentioned s1mple as one of the players who influenced his development as an AWPer. Reports referencing m0NESY’s Telegram comments claim the Falcons star described the autograph detail as “a small tribute to the man who inspired me.”

The relationship between the two players has been widely discussed in the CS2 scene for years. Many fans viewed m0NESY as the natural successor to s1mple due to his aggressive AWPing style, mechanical skill, and explosive impact in top-tier Counter-Strike matches.

CS2 Major Stickers Continue to Drive Community Interest

The discussion also comes shortly after Valve introduced changes to the CS2 Major sticker system for IEM Cologne 2026. Instead of relying entirely on traditional sticker capsules, players can now purchase specific stickers directly through the updated in-game Major Shop.

Valve explained that sticker prices may fluctuate depending on popularity and community demand, creating a more dynamic market for collectors and esports fans.

Will s1mple Return to the CS2 Major Stage?

s1mple’s comments immediately sparked speculation about his competitive future. The Ukrainian superstar remains one of the most iconic players in Counter-Strike history, despite stepping away from consistent tier-one competition during the transition from CS:GO to CS2.

The former NAVI superstar currently represents BC.Game, while m0NESY competes for Team Falcons. Many fans believe a successful Major qualification would finally allow s1mple to receive his first official CS2 autograph sticker.

For now, the exchange between s1mple and m0NESY has become another memorable moment connecting two generations of elite Counter-Strike AWPers — one legendary player who defined an era and another who continues shaping the future of CS2 esports.