The Counter-Strike 2 scene is electric with the news of Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev’s return to competitive play. FaZe Clan’s decision to sign the Ukrainian legend on loan from Natus Vincere for IEM Dallas 2025 (May 19–25) and the BLAST.tv Austin Major (June 2–22) is a massive gamble that has fans and analysts buzzing. Can s1mple, the undisputed CS:GO GOAT, lead FaZe to glory, or will this high-stakes move crash and burn? Let’s break it down, weaving in key questions like is s1mple retired.

S1mple’s new home with FaZe

To answer what team is s1mple on, he is currently playing for FaZe on a loan deal from NAVI. He’s stepping in as the team’s AWPer, replacing Helvijs "broky" Saukants, who was benched after FaZe’s lackluster 2025 season. The roster now boasts s1mple alongside Finn "karrigan" Andersen, Håvard "rain" Nygaard, David "frozen" Čerňanský, and Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski. This lineup is a dream for fans, but integrating a player who’s recently been mostly absent from Tier 1 play is no small feat.

The retirement rumors

Many fans have asked, did s1mple retire? The short answer is no. S1mple took a break from NAVI in October 2023, sparking speculation about his future. His absence from competitive CS2, coupled with his vocal frustration with the game’s state – he once called CS2 “shit” and urged new players to wait for updates – fueled retirement rumors. But s1mple clarified he was handling personal matters, not quitting. His loan stints with Team Falcons in 2024 and now FaZe in 2025 show he’s far from done.

S1mple is absolutely not retired. While his extended break and limited playtime in 2024 made some fans fear he’d hung up his mouse, s1mple’s loan to FaZe proves he’s still in the game. His passion was evident in a recent interview where he vowed, “I won’t f**k up like I did at Shanghai Major.” At 27, s1mple is young enough to reclaim his throne, but he’ll need to mesh with FaZe’s stars like EliGE, a former teammate from Team Liquid in 2016, despite past tensions.

What went down with s1mple?

So, what happened to s1mple? After dominating CS:GO with NAVI, including a PGL Major Stockholm 2021 victory, s1mple’s career hit turbulence with CS2’s release. He stepped away from NAVI’s starting lineup in 2023, citing personal issues like sorting EU residency papers and dissatisfaction with CS2’s meta, particularly the AWP’s reduced impact. In 2024, he played two short loans with Team Falcons for the BLAST Premier Spring Showdown and Shanghai Major RMR, but both ended in disappointment, with Falcons missing the Major. These setbacks raised doubts about his form, but his move to FaZe signals a hunger to reclaim his dominance.

Why the long break?

For those wondering why is s1mple not playing regularly, it’s a mix of personal and professional hurdles. Since his 2023 break, s1mple has only played 16 official CS2 maps, all with Falcons. He struggled to adapt to CS2, even considering a switch to rifling. Personal priorities, like “taking care of other people” in his life, also kept him sidelined. Now, with FaZe’s structured environment and karrigan’s leadership, s1mple has a chance to grind and shine again.

FaZe’s high-stakes gamble

FaZe’s 2025 has been rough – no playoffs at IEM Katowice, BLAST Open Lisbon, or IEM Melbourne, and a 5th-6th finish at BLAST Rivals Spring. Karrigan called s1mple’s signing a “Hail Mary” for the Austin Major, admitting benching broky was his toughest call. The move is risky: s1mple’s recent form with Falcons was shaky, and his chemistry with EliGE is untested. But karrigan believes, “With Sasha, we’re aiming for the trophy – even if he’s just a stand-in.”

Fans are hyped, with analyst James Banks calling it a “movie script” moment, especially with s1mple facing off against ZywOo, donk, and m0NESY. Skeptics, however, point to his long hiatus and Falcons’ flops, questioning if he can return to his peak. As Thorin noted, the s1mple-EliGE reunion on NA soil adds nostalgic hype.

Stake fuels the hype

The excitement for s1mple’s comeback is through the roof, and Stake is riding the wave. Check out their X post hyping IEM Dallas:

Hop over to Stake to bet on FaZe’s chances. Will s1mple carry them past Team Liquid in their Group B opener, or will the pressure be too much? Click the post to join the action!

The road to Dallas and beyond

IEM Dallas, with a $1 million prize pool, is s1mple’s first test. FaZe faces a tough Group B with Liquid and MOUZ, but s1mple’s debut could spark a turnaround. A strong showing could set the stage for the Austin Major, the first U.S. Major in seven years. A flop, though, might fuel doubts about his CS2 future. As analyst YNk said, “If karrigan pulls this off, it’s his masterpiece.”

FaZe’s all-in bet on s1mple is what makes esports epic. These answers paint a picture of a legend who’s been down but never out. Whether he can lead FaZe to IEM Dallas glory is anyone’s guess, but the CS2 world will be watching.