Team Spirit Make Major CS2 Roster Shake‑Up, Magixx and Zont1x Return as Chopper and Zweih Are Benched

Team Spirit Make Major CS2 Roster Shake‑Up, Magixx and Zont1x Return as Chopper and Zweih Are Benched

December 18, 2025 — Russian esports organization Team Spirit have announced a significant overhaul of their Counter‑Strike 2 (CS2) roster following a year of mixed results, culminating in their semi‑final exit at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. In a surprising development, Spirit have brought back Boris “magixx” Vorobiev and Myroslav “zont1x” Plakhotia to the active lineup, while longtime leader Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov and rising talent Ivan “zweih” Gogin have been moved to the bench. 

The roster changes mark one of the most notable shake‑ups in the sport’s December rostermania period as teams prepare for the 2026 season. Spirit confirmed the news via their official channels, listing the active roster as:

• Boris “magixx” Vorobiev – returnee

• Myroslav “zont1x” Plakhotia – returnee

• Danil “donk” Kryshkovets – rifler

• Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov – AWPer

• Andrey “tN1R” Tatarinovich – rifler (retained)

• Sergey “hally” Shavaev – coach

Their bench now features chopper and zweih, both removed from the starting five as Spirit craftsmanship a fresh competitive identity. 

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End of an Era for Chopper and Zweih’s Short Stint

Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov’s benching is particularly striking given his role as Spirit’s tactical backbone over the past few years. The seasoned in‑game leader (IGL) has been integral to the organization’s most successful chapters, including Team Spirit’s first Major victory at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024. 

Despite his legendary status and IGL pedigree, Spirit cited a need for “fresh ideas and improved mid‑round decision‑making” following inconsistent performances throughout 2025. Sources indicate that Spirit’s T‑side coordination and strategic adaptability were among the reasons for this decision. 

For zweih, the benching caps off a brief but eventful tenure in Spirit’s active lineup. The 18‑year‑old rifler was signed in mid‑2025 after magixx’s initial departure, with the organization investing in his potential as a youthful firepower option. However, despite notable flashes and contributions during events such as IEM Cologne 2025 and BLAST Bounty Season 2, Spirit struggled with consistent top‑tier placement, prompting management to reevaluate the roster.

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Magixx and Zont1x: Familiarity and Experience Return

Both magixx and zont1x return to the starting roster after previously being benched or placed on an inactive status earlier in the year.

Magixx, who joined Spirit in 2019, had been a mainstay of the team throughout multiple evolutions. He was benched in July 2025 in favor of rising talent zweih, a move that briefly revitalized Spirit — winning IEM Cologne 2025 and the BLAST Bounty Season 2 Finals — before results began to wane. 

Now reinstated, magixx will assume the IGL role, a major responsibility that signals Spirit’s faith in his tactical maturity and leadership. He had previously indicated openness to calling in competitive settings. 

Zont1x, on the other hand, was moved off the active roster in September 2025 for personal reasons — a decision Spirit described as respecting the player’s need for time away from competition. He has since resolved those issues and is reported to be “refreshed” and ready to re‑commit fully to top‑level play. 

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A Season of Highs and Lows for Spirit

Team Spirit’s 2025 campaign featured a mix of impressive successes and frustrating inconsistencies. The team competed at every premier event, including:

• StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 — eliminated in the semi‑finals by eventual champions Team Vitality.

• IEM Cologne 2025 — Spirit secured victory earlier in the year following smart roster adjustments.

• BLAST Bounty 2025 Season 2 Finals — another title added to Spirit’s résumé.

Despite this silverware, Spirit’s placement at some of the premier events failed to meet organizational expectations, particularly relative to the team’s established world‑class core of sh1ro and donk. This balance between success and underachievement ultimately fueled the case for change. 

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Looking Ahead: New Strategy, Renewed Ambition

With magixx and zont1x back in the fold, Spirit enter the offseason with a blend of experience and renewed stability. The return of familiar faces is expected to help the squad refine their tactical approach and cohesion ahead of the 2026 competitive cycle.

Management has indicated that the revised roster aims to combine leadership, strategic clarity, and mechanical firepower to regain a position atop the global CS2 rankings. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Team Spirit prepares for early events in the coming year.