Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut has once again proven why his name remains a symbol of greatness in the CS2 era. At BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, the French AWPer didn’t just shine, he dominated, topping the event’s leaderboard with an incredible 1.42 rating over 13 maps played. His contribution to Team Vitality’s victory was undeniable, earning him the well-deserved title of Major MVP.
Statistics That Speak for Themselves
- 1.42 HLTV 2.1 rating the highest among all players at the tournament
- 13 maps consistently strong performances in every stage
- Best player in both key playoff matches: vs NAVI and MOUZ
ZywOo outshone stars like donk (1.41), Senzu (1.29), ropz (1.23) and s1mple (1.17). Despite fierce competition, he demonstrated the highest level of consistency and efficiency.
Playoffs: A One-Man Show
NAVI (2:0)
On Mirage (13:9) and Nuke (13:11), ZywOo became a nightmare for NAVI. His individual match rating was 1.38, while the closest performer, w0nderful, stood at 1.15. The French star played flawlessly, held key positions, and made a difference in the most crucial rounds.
MOUZ (2:1)
Although Vitality dropped Inferno, ZywOo remained the standout player. His performance on Mirage (13:8) was decisive 1.18 rating. Even on Train, where the team scraped a hard-fought 13:6 victory, ZywOo maintained his tempo. Across the whole match against MOUZ, he posted a 1.46 rating, making him the most impactful player in the semifinal.
Final: The MongolZ vs Vitality
In the grand final of BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, Vitality dropped Mirage (5:13) but bounced back confidently on Dust2 (13:4) and Inferno (13:6) to secure the title. ZywOo, although not the highest-rated player in this match (1.17), remained consistent and impactful — especially on Dust2, where he helped shift the momentum. Alongside ropz (1.30) and flameZ (1.13), he secured the win in crucial rounds.
Senzu (1.26) put up a strong fight, but Vitality’s experience and composure prevailed. ZywOo finished the tournament as the standout performer — the deserved MVP of the Major.
More Than Just an AWPer
At this tournament, ZywOo transcended the traditional AWP role. He often opened rounds, gathered key intel, secured flanks, and initiated aggressive plays. When the team showed signs of faltering, he stabilized their game. In the highest-pressure moments of the final stage ZywOo stayed ice-cold.
Community Reaction: “ZywOo — the true king”
After Vitality’s grand final triumph and ZywOo’s MVP award, social media exploded with emotion. Telegram chats were flooded with both memes and genuine admiration. Here are some of the most striking reactions:
- “lion” — a short but powerful phrase from Vladislav Yakov, meaning “What a lion!”
- “GOAT” — a simple comment from user 007, yet nothing speaks louder.
- “Standing there like the f*ing greatest”** — ironic, but true: ZywOo was holding that MVP presence long before the final whistle.
- “EZ4VITA” — a short but heartfelt recognition of Vitality’s dominance from moonqzero.
- “Respect, unlike donk with the sour face” — an emotional comparison that highlights ZywOo’s calm under pressure in contrast to others.
These reactions say it all: ZywOo didn’t just win MVP — he once again became the face of the stage, a symbol of hard work, talent, and composure.
What’s Next?
This trophy is another gem in ZywOo’s legendary collection. Having already won a Major in 2023 and been HLTV’s #1 player for multiple years, he’s once again making his way back to the top. This MVP award might be the critical step in his campaign for HLTV Top-1 2025.
At BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, he was the face of the tournament, the driving force of Vitality, and the embodiment of what peak CS2 looks like. In a time when rising stars like donk and Senzu are taking the spotlight, ZywOo proves that experience, composure, and mastery still reign supreme.
