NiKo

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

NiKo’s competitive journey began in the Balkan Counter-Strike scene, where his mechanical prowess quickly set him apart. After early stints with local teams, he gained international attention with iNation, demonstrating exceptional rifling skills and the ability to dominate games almost single-handedly. His breakout came after joining mousesports in 2015, where he became the focal point of the roster. His high frag counts, multi-kill rounds, and impact in clutch situations made him one of the most talked-about rising stars in CS:GO.

FaZe Clan Era (2017–2020)

In February 2017, NiKo signed with FaZe Clan in one of the most notable transfers of the year. Surrounded by other world-class talents, he flourished in a freer role, helping FaZe to numerous international trophies, including ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier 2017, ESL One New York 2017, and Epicenter 2018. His performances were consistently MVP-caliber, blending raw aim with exceptional spray control and in-game intuition. NiKo also took on in-game leading duties during his time at FaZe, further proving his versatility.

G2 Esports Era (2020–2024)

In late 2020, NiKo made another headline move, joining G2 Esports. His arrival reinvigorated the team, and together they achieved deep playoff runs and title victories, including IEM Cologne 2023 and the BLAST Premier World Final 2022. Despite the team’s ups and downs, NiKo remained its most consistent and impactful player, often topping leaderboards in rating, ADR, and opening duels. He became famous for delivering in high-pressure moments, whether as a closer in tight clutches or as the explosive opener who broke enemy defenses.

During this period, NiKo solidified his legacy as one of the greatest riflers of all time. His name became synonymous with precision headshots and explosive momentum shifts, with fans and analysts frequently debating his place among Counter-Strike’s all-time greats.

Move to Team Falcons (2025–Present)

In January 2025, NiKo joined Team Falcons in one of the most ambitious roster projects in CS2, alongside stars like m0NESY, TeSeS, kyxsan, and kyousuke, under the guidance of legendary coach zonic. His role as the team’s primary star rifler remains unchanged—providing unmatched entry fragging power and mid-round decision-making that balances aggression with control.

Career Achievements and Legacy

NiKo has been ranked in HLTV’s Top 20 Players list for nine consecutive years (2016–2024), tying the record for most appearances. He has also earned nine MVP awards at top-tier events, placing him among the most decorated players in Counter-Strike history. Over his career, he has competed in more than 1,100 professional matches, earned over $1.5 million in prize money, and represented his teams at 15 CS:GO Majors, coming close to the trophy multiple times.

What sets NiKo apart is not just his aim—which is widely considered among the best in the game’s history—but also his ability to adapt to different team environments and maintain elite performance regardless of role or meta. His combination of raw mechanical skill, positional intelligence, and unwavering confidence ensures he remains a threat in every round.

At 28 years old, Nikola “NiKo” Kovač continues to compete at the highest level, now aiming to secure the one missing piece in his career: a Counter-Strike Major championship. For fans and analysts alike, his journey is one of consistent excellence, and his legacy as one of the best riflers to ever play the game is already secure.