ZywOo and apEX Name Ax1Le and NiKo as CS2 Players Who Haven’t Reached Their Full Potential

Team Vitality stars Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and Dan “apEX” Madesclaire have shared their thoughts on which elite Counter-Strike players have not yet unlocked their full potential in CS2. In a recent BLAST interview, the Major champions highlighted Ax1Le and NiKo, sparking renewed discussion around performance drops, roster changes, and the challenges of transitioning from CS:GO to Counter-Strike 2.

Ranking: Top CS2 Players With Unrealized Potential (According to Vitality)

#1 NiKo — Still Chasing a Major Title

apEX was quick to name Nikola “NiKo” Kovač as his pick. Despite one of the most decorated careers in Counter-Strike history, NiKo has yet to win a Major, a fact that continues to define the narrative around his legacy.

NiKo has consistently competed at the highest level across multiple teams and eras, making deep playoff runs at Majors and S-tier tournaments. However, the absence of a Major trophy remains the main argument for why apEX believes NiKo’s full potential is still unrealized in CS2.

#2 Ax1Le — From Top-5 CS:GO Star to CS2 Struggles

ZywOo added Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov to the discussion, emphasizing the contrast between Ax1Le’s CS:GO dominance and his difficulties in CS2.

Ax1Le was a top-five HLTV player for two consecutive years, widely regarded as one of the most consistent riflers in the world during the Gambit and Cloud9 era. However, according to ZywOo, the transition to CS2 “didn’t work out” for him, a view apEX openly agreed with.

Ax1Le was later benched, reinforcing the idea that his CS2 results have not matched expectations based on his past peak.

Context: Why Ax1Le’s Name Keeps Coming Up

Ax1Le’s situation is especially notable because analysts and former pros have long stated that he still had more ceiling to reach, even during his prime years. His current form in CS2 stands in sharp contrast to those expectations, making him a recurring topic in discussions about unrealized potential.

At the same time, Ax1Le has reportedly reunited with former Gambit teammates nafany and coach groove in an org-less CS2 project, signaling an attempt to reset his career and regain confidence outside a traditional team structure.

CS2 Transition: A Reality Check for Former CS:GO Stars

The comments from ZywOo and apEX highlight a broader trend in Counter-Strike 2:
elite CS:GO status does not guarantee immediate success in CS2.

While some stars adapted quickly, others — including proven top-5 players — have struggled with the new mechanics, pacing, and meta. Ax1Le’s case, in particular, has become one of the clearest examples of how harsh the CS2 transition can be.

Why This Discussion Matters

NiKo remains one Major win away from silencing the biggest criticism of his career

Ax1Le is at a crossroads, attempting to rediscover his form after being benched

CS2 continues to reshape the competitive hierarchy of Counter-Strike

As Vitality’s leaders made clear, this is not criticism for its own sake — but recognition that both players are capable of much more than what they have shown so far in CS2.