ZywOo GOAT Debate Intensifies: Mauisnake Says It’s “Harder Every Day” to Argue Against the Vitality Star

CS2 analyst Alex Ellenberg (Mauisnake) has sparked fresh discussion in the Counter-Strike community, stating that “proving that anyone other than ZywOo is the best player in Counter-Strike becomes harder with each day.”

The statement reflects a growing sentiment across the competitive CS2 scene: the statistical case for Mathieu Herbaut (ZywOo) is becoming overwhelming.

ZywOo’s MVP Record: The Numbers Behind the GOAT Argument

One of the strongest pillars of ZywOo’s legacy is his MVP dominance.

30 HLTV MVP medals (all-time record)

4 HLTV Player of the Year titles

Consistent top-three finishes in global rankings

His 30th MVP came at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, where he led Team Vitality to another international trophy.

According to HLTV, no other player has matched this level of sustained individual dominance.

For comparison, Oleksandr Kostyliev (s1mple) — long considered ZywOo’s biggest rival in the GOAT conversation — holds 21 MVP medals and three Player of the Year titles.

The widening gap in individual accolades is a key reason analysts believe the burden of proof is shifting.

ZywOo’s Own Words on His Form

After a standout tournament performance in 2026, ZywOo described it as:

“I can say it was my best performance that I’ve ever played in a tournament.”

Despite already being a four-time Player of the Year, he continues to reach new peaks — strengthening arguments centered not only on longevity, but also on sustained elite performance in CS2.

What Other Pros Are Saying

Even his biggest rival has acknowledged his current level. In 2025, s1mple publicly referred to ZywOo as the best player on the professional CS2 scene “right now.”

Meanwhile, rising stars like Danil Kryshkovets (donk) have entered the yearly best-player debate, especially in seasonal rankings. However, seasonal dominance and all-time legacy are two different conversations.

While HLTV annual rankings sometimes fluctuate based on short-term performance, the all-time MVP leaderboard continues to favor ZywOo heavily.

CS2 GOAT Debate: Longevity vs Peak vs Era

The Counter-Strike GOAT debate typically revolves around three criteria:

1. Peak Performance – Highest individual level achieved

2. Longevity – Sustained elite play across years

3. Trophies & MVPs – Measurable dominance at big events

ZywOo’s case is uniquely strong because he checks all three boxes:

Multiple era-defining years

Record-breaking MVP count

Major international trophies with Vitality

Continued dominance in CS2 after the transition from CS:GO

This consistency is exactly what Mauisnake’s statement highlights: the statistical and historical case keeps growing stronger.

Why This Matters for CS2 in 2026

The transition from CS:GO to CS2 reset many narratives in competitive Counter-Strike. Yet ZywOo maintained his elite form across both versions of the game — something very few players have achieved.

With every new MVP medal and tournament victory, the debate shifts further:

Is the GOAT conversation still open — or are we witnessing the clear frontrunner pulling away?