Vitality’s triumph at IEM Melbourne 2025 was marked not only by a dominant team performance but also by the brilliant individual showing of Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, who rightfully claimed the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
The French AWPer once again proved why he is considered one of the greatest players in Counter-Strike history.
Throughout the tournament, ZywOo impressed with his incredible consistency: high average ratings, clutch wins in decisive moments, and flawless control in sniper positions were key factors in Vitality’s domination.
Particularly noteworthy was his performance in the grand final against Falcons, where ZywOo repeatedly turned the tide of the maps by winning crucial duels and putting constant economic pressure on the opponent.
“I always say — without my teammates, I’m nothing. This is a victory for the entire Vitality team. We’ve been working towards this for months.” — ZywOo, after the IEM Melbourne 2025 Grand Final.
Top 5 Players of IEM Melbourne 2025 (excluding MVP ZywOo)
Despite ZywOo’s brilliant performance, several other players also earned recognition for their outstanding individual displays. Here are the top 5 players from teams that finished in the top 6 of the tournament:
1. ropz (Vitality) — Rating 1.30
Robin “ropz” Kool was a vital pillar for Vitality throughout the tournament. His impeccable rifling, positional flexibility, and calmness under pressure allowed Vitality to dominate even during close matches.
“We don’t really talk about our winning streak, but after every match, we’re like: ‘Oh, it’s 19 now!’ We know we’ll lose eventually. The scene is so competitive — it’s just a matter of time.” — ropz
2. m0NESY (Falcons) — Rating 1.21
Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov once again showcased his elite status. His clutch performances, aggressive peeks, and phenomenal AWP efficiency were crucial to Falcons’ success at the tournament, even though they fell short in the final.
3. Spinx (MOUZ) — Rating 1.20
Lotan “Spinx” Giladi demonstrated composure and the ability to swing games through smart map control and quick aggressive moves. His contribution was one of the brightest highlights of MOUZ’s bronze finish.
“We’re showing everyone that we are a top-tier team.” — Spinx
4. REZ (GamerLegion) — Rating 1.18
Fredrik “REZ” Sterner was a true anchor for Ninjas in Pyjamas at IEM Melbourne 2025. His versatility — from confident entries on attack to solid defense — helped GamerLegion secure a top-6 finish. REZ impressed with his precision in duels and often saved critical situations thanks to his lightning-fast reactions.
“When you feel your team believes in you, you’re ready to win any clutch.” — REZ
5. twistzz (Liquid) — Rating 1.17
Russel “twistzz” Van Dulken was the driving force behind Liquid during the tournament. His confident retakes, precision in clutch moments, and ability to swiftly adjust the tempo of the game were decisive for Liquid’s playoff run. Twistzz once again proved why he is considered one of North America’s finest players.
“I always try to stay cold-blooded, even when everything is on the line.” — twistzz
IEM Melbourne 2025 not only showcased Vitality’s incredible dominance and ZywOo’s brilliance, but also opened a new chapter for emerging talents and highlighted the continued excellence of experienced players.
The performances of ropz, REZ, m0NESY, twistzz, and Spinx prove that the world of Counter-Strike 2 is entering a new golden era — filled with bright personalities and relentless competition at the highest level.
