Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev is widely considered the greatest player in Counter-Strike history. His combination of mechanical excellence, AWP dominance, and longevity at the top level has produced a career record that may never be matched.
HLTV MVP Medal Record
s1mple holds the all-time record for HLTV MVP medals with 21. An HLTV MVP is awarded to the player with the highest impact at each individual tournament. Earning 21 across a career spanning CS:GO and CS2 represents a level of consistent excellence that no other player has come close to replicating.
PGL Stockholm Major 2021 – World Champion
The Stockholm Major in October–November 2021 was s1mple's greatest achievement as a team player. After years of being the dominant individual performer without a Major championship to show for it, s1mple led Natus Vincere to the title with a commanding performance throughout the entire tournament. His rating at the event was among the highest ever recorded at a Major.
Three-Time HLTV Player of the Year
s1mple was named HLTV's Player of the Year in 2018, 2021, and 2022. This makes him co-holder of the record alongside ZywOo for the most Player of the Year awards in history. Each of his three victories came during years when he was statistically dominant, consistent, and central to his team's success.
Intel Grand Slam – Season 3
The Intel Grand Slam is awarded to teams that win four different ESL and DreamHack tournaments within a ten-event window. Natus Vincere completed Season 3 of the Intel Grand Slam, with s1mple as the star player driving their run of dominance through 2021–2022.
Eight Consecutive HLTV Top 20 Appearances
s1mple appeared in the HLTV Top 20 in every year from 2016 to 2023 – eight consecutive appearances. This streak represents remarkable longevity at the very top of competitive CS, spanning different team compositions, meta shifts from CS:GO to CS2, and multiple periods of personal challenge.
Career Timeline Summary
s1mple turned professional in 2013 and spent time with several Ukrainian and Eastern European teams before joining Natus Vincere in 2016. A brief stint with Team Liquid in 2016 demonstrated his potential on the international stage. His sustained peak from 2018 through 2022 is considered one of the greatest individual runs in esports history. His return to form in 2025 with FaZe has reignited debate about where he ranks among the current generation of CS2 stars.