The Brazilian team Imperial made a thunderous return to the global Counter-Strike stage by winning FiReLEAGUE Buenos Aires 2025. Alongside the $50,000 prize, the team also secured the most important reward — a slot at Roobet Cup 2025, a major online tournament with a $1,000,000 prize pool. But perhaps their biggest achievement was a massive leap in the Valve Regional Standings — over 100 positions, catapulting the team into the top 30 in the world.
VRS: Momentum that changes everything
The Valve Regional Standings (VRS) is the official ranking system that directly impacts invites to RMRs and Majors. Before FiReLEAGUE, Imperial were well outside the radar — ranked outside the top 100, with little hope of reaching a Major.
That has now changed dramatically:
- +116 points
- #26 position globally
- Over 100 teams overtaken in a single tournament
This is one of the biggest one-event leaps in the Valve rankings in recent memory.
Bracket run: the road to victory
FiReLEAGUE once again brought together the best teams from Latin America. Imperial faced tough opponents but remained focused throughout:
- Semifinal: A hard-fought 2–0 win over Sharks, showcasing excellent game reading
- Grand Final: 2–1 over 9z, with dominant play from the opening rounds to the last
Every match was cleanly executed, filled with clutch moments and disciplined team play.
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Imperial’s final stats: winning as a unit
Imperial didn’t rely on a single star performance — their win came from balanced roles and a smart team structure. Everyone contributed, and that cohesion proved decisive in the final.
9z and others: LATAM reshaped
Despite the loss, 9z also made big strides in the rankings — gaining +53 spots and climbing to #77 globally. This marks a broader shift in the region: more teams are now within reach of international breakthroughs.
Meanwhile, BESTIA, though present at the tournament, dropped 1 spot and now sit at #67 — a worrying sign for an organization that was a regional powerhouse just a year ago.
Community reaction: “The return of legends”
Imperial’s triumph in Buenos Aires sparked an emotional wave across the Counter-Strike community. Fans, streamers, analysts, and even opponents agreed — this was more than a win; it was a historic moment for Brazilian CS.
Gaules – the voice of Brazilian CS:
Speaking live after the final, he couldn’t hold back the emotion:
“Imperial are back — and it’s the best thing that could’ve happened to our CS. This isn’t just a win, it’s hope.”
Launders – HLTV Confirmed analyst:
Breaking down the team’s performance, he emphasized their maturity:
“This lineup looks complete. They know how to play under pressure, and the experience of felps and chelo is priceless for LATAM.”
Thorin – controversial but influential analyst:
On his platform, he compared this comeback to the best veteran stories:
“Imperial are a textbook example of veterans restarting their careers. They’re not winning with flashy aimers — they’re winning through structure and experience.”
Reddit /r/GlobalOffensive — fan reactions:
The subreddit lit up with comments praising the emotional weight of the win:
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“Honestly, didn’t think I’d see chelo and felps in a grand final again — what a pleasant surprise.”
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“9z vs Imperial is the best thing to happen to South American CS in the past year.”
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“This LAN had Major atmosphere. If there was a crowd, Imperial would’ve blown the roof off.”
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What’s next? Roobet Cup 2025
Roobet Cup is far from just another tournament. It features:
- $1,000,000 prize pool
- Participation from the top teams in the world
- A format that includes group stages and playoffs
Imperial now have the chance not just to “show up,” but to genuinely fight for a top-8 finish. A strong performance there would push them even further in the VRS and could earn them a direct invite to the next RMR.Brazilian Counter-Strike last peaked in 2022, when Imperial played at the Rio Major. Since then, the scene had declined — but now, there’s real hope of a revival.
