Veterans vs. New Blood: Who to Watch at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

The final CS2 Major of 2025 is shaping up to be a true generational showdown. From November 24 to December 14, Budapest will host 32 of the world’s best teams battling for a $1.25 million prize pool. The competition spans three Swiss stages and culminates in a best-of-five grand final inside the roaring MVM Dome.

CS2 has been trending younger for years. Academy systems are producing waves of talented 16–18-year-old players, while several long-standing stars—such as cadiaN, JW and tabseN—failed to qualify. In their place emerges a compelling contrast: legendary veterans potentially playing their final Majors, and rookies stepping onto Counter-Strike’s grandest stage for the first time.

Below is a full English rewrite of the Cybersport.ru overview, expanded with confirmed roster updates and verified player quotes.

The Veterans – Who Still Has Gas in the Tank?

Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo (FURIA)

Majors: 17 (2 titles)
First Major: ESL One Katowice 2015
Pro since: 2003
Role: IGL / hybrid

FalleN is the last active tier-1 competitor who has played through every major version of Counter-Strike, including Source. After the Luminosity/SK era, many believed his peak was behind him, but his transition to FURIA—and later to a hybrid support role—revitalized his career.

Heading into Budapest, FURIA’s international lineup sits near the top of the global rankings, giving FalleN his best opportunity in years to chase another Major trophy. After a recent bitter loss, he summed up CS simply: a series often comes down to “who’s going to be playing better” on the day.

Budapest could be the crowning achievement of a 20-year journey—or a final reminder that the old guard still knows how to win.

Dan “apEX” Madesclaire (Team Vitality)

Majors: 20 (3 titles)
First Major: DreamHack Winter 2013
Pro since: 2009
Role: IGL

apEX experienced a renaissance in 2025. Vitality’s season transformed when ropz joined the team early in the year, creating a deadly trio with ZywOo and flameZ built around apEX’s calls.

Vitality arrive at Budapest as the world’s #1 team. apEX even delivered above-average fragging for an IGL—posting a 1.11 rating at ESL Pro League Season 21. He now has a genuine shot at securing his fourth Major title, which would cement his legacy among the greatest in-game leaders of all time.

Freddy “KRiMZ” Johansson (fnatic)

Majors: 17 (2 titles)
First Major: DreamHack Winter 2013
Pro since: 2013
Role: Rifler

KRiMZ is fnatic’s timeless icon. Except for a brief three-month GODSENT detour back in 2016, he has been with fnatic for over a decade. Since rain departed FaZe, KRiMZ is now the longest-serving one-organization player in tier-1 CS.

The modern fnatic, however, is a far cry from the Swedish superteam of old. The roster is now built around young talents led by former NAVI Junior IGL fear. Results have been modest, and Budapest might realistically be KRiMZ’s last Major if the team rebuilds again.

Every map he plays in Hungary will carry a sense of nostalgia—and uncertainty.

Nicolai “device” Reedtz (Astralis)

Majors: 16 (4 titles)
First Major: DreamHack Winter 2013
Pro since: 2009
Role: AWPer

device remains the most decorated Major player among active competitors, with four titles from Astralis’ golden era. Reaching Budapest is already a milestone for the revived Astralis: this is their first Major appearance since 2022.

But time catches up with everyone. device now faces intense competition from a new generation of hyper-mechanical AWPers. Even Cybersport notes he may eventually have to pass the main AWP role to a younger player.

Astralis start in Stage 2—not favorites, but extremely dangerous if device starts hitting vintage form.

Finn “karrigan” Andersen (FaZe Clan)

Majors: 20 (1 title)
First Major: DreamHack Winter 2013
Pro since: 2006
Role: IGL

karrigan is one of Counter-Strike’s greatest leaders, but he enters Budapest in a turbulent period. FaZe have been struggling, suffering from form dips and a long title drought.

He has spoken openly about his future, saying he told FaZe that the moment his teammates lose faith in him, he will step down—adding that he’s “not here to steal paychecks.”

FaZe begin from Stage 1 in the unpredictable best-of-one phase. A quick exit could spark talk of retirement; a deep run could extend karrigan’s legendary career.

The Rookies – First Time on CS2’s Biggest Stage

Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin (Team Falcons)

Pro since: 2024
Role: Rifle star
2025 rating: ~1.26
Mentors: zonic, NiKo

No European rookie enters the Major with more hype—or pressure. kyousuke gained attention in the Spirit academy system, where some fans prematurely labeled him “the next donk.”

Falcons completed their 2025 superteam with NiKo, m0NESY, TeSeS, kyxsan, and then added kyousuke as their newest star. NiKo has publicly praised him, saying the young rifler “reminds me of myself.”

Analyst OverDrive called him “the main prospect of the year,” though he noted kyousuke still dominates tier-2/3 more than tier-1.

Budapest will determine whether he’s the next superstar—or just another hyped rookie.

Klimentii “kl1m” Krivosheev (MIBR)

Pro since: 2022
Role: AWPer
2025 rating: ~1.28
Mentors: Qikert, jnt

MIBR surprised the Counter-Strike world by signing Russian AWPer kl1m on loan from G2’s academy roster, making their lineup international for the first time. His impact was immediate: MIBR won three of their first four events with him, powered by his explosive AWPing.

A recent disciplinary incident—where kl1m used a slur during a FACEIT game—earned him a public sanction from MIBR. Still, his talent is undeniable. Budapest will be his biggest test yet.

Drin “Makazze” Shaqiri (NAVI)

Pro since: 2022
Role: Rifler
Mentors: B1ad3, Aleksib (system-based)

Makazze is one of the most debated rookies at the Major. His rise through the CIS scene was clouded by persistent community accusations about his former teammates’ integrity.

NAVI’s decision to promote him from their junior roster was meant to reset that narrative. But inconsistency has plagued his first tier-1 months, and there are already whispers that this could be his first and last Major with the main squad.

Budapest is a proving ground: either he stabilizes, or NAVI will likely rebuild again.

PARIVISION – The All-Rookie Lineup

Roster updated: July 2025
Average age: ~21.5
Team rating: ~1.06
Mentors: Jame, dastan

Four of PARIVISION’s players—BELCHONOKK, AW, xiELO and nota—will receive their first-ever Major stickers in Budapest. The team was rebuilt in 2025 around Jame’s slow, tactical structure and dastan’s coaching philosophy.

They recently won back-to-back tier-2 events, showing that their project is gaining traction. With no superstar but a disciplined system, they could become the surprise story of Stage 1.

Oldřich “PR” Nový (GamerLegion)

Pro since: 2022
Role: Rifler
2025 rating: ~1.11

PR joined GamerLegion from MOUZ NXT and immediately proved he was ready for tier-1. Across his first 100 maps with the team, he maintained a strong 1.11 rating with nearly 79 ADR. His standout performance at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025—where he posted a 1.25 rating—marked him as a rising star.

GamerLegion begin in Stage 1, but PR is on every analyst’s “breakout player” watchlist.

Other First-Time Major Players to Watch

Another dozen debuts will take place in Budapest, including:

jcobbb – sharp-tier rifler from the European scene

hypex – CIS rifler with an aggressive playstyle

r1nkle – promising young AWPer finally breaking into the Major circuit

xKacpersky – a mechanically gifted Polish fragger

Kvem – representing Passion UA and already experienced internationally

Both The Huns Esports and Rare Atom also field multiple rookies capable of upsetting bigger names in Stage 1.

Why Budapest Feels Special

Several factors make this Major unique:

• It is the second CS2 Major of 2025 and the 23rd Major in Counter-Strike history.

• All 32 teams were invited directly via Valve Regional Standings, making it the first fully invite-only Major.

• This is the first Major with a best-of-five grand final, favoring deeper, well-structured teams like Vitality, Falcons, FURIA and Spirit.

With a brutal format, no qualifiers, and the longest possible final, Budapest perfectly sets the stage for an “old guard vs. new blood” storyline. It could be the final chapter for legends like FalleN, device or karrigan—or the launchpad for next-generation stars like kyousuke, kl1m or PR.