On May 19, the CS2 world held its breath — Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev officially returned to the professional scene, debuting for FaZe Clan in a match against Team Liquid at IEM Dallas 2025. This wasn’t just a comeback; it was a full-blown event. At its peak, the match drew nearly a million live viewers — a number rarely seen even in Major finals. But was s1mple still the same player who once struck fear into the entire CS:GO world? The numbers and details of his debut offer a clear answer.

s1mple’s last official match was in 2024 for Team Falcons. After that came a long inactive period, rare stream appearances, and rumors of a potential switch to Valorant or retirement. And now, after nearly two years and a few short-term stints with Falcons, he returns — immediately to a top-tier club, straight into a major LAN event, and up against a strong opponent.

s1mple vs. Liquid

Let’s break down s1mple’s key stats in his FaZe Clan debut:

A 6.6 rating in his first match after a long break is already a strong claim for a spot among the world’s top 20 players. His impact was felt in every key moment — from a cold-blooded pistol round retake to a lightning-fast flick on NAF through smoke.

The aim duel stats also speak volumes about s1mple’s performance. He outplayed every opponent except Twistzz, who ended up as the match MVP. Once again, we saw that s1mple is in great shape, and the only thing missing for a win was the team. A similar situation occurred during his short loan spells with Falcons.

s1mple Wasn’t Just Fragging — He Played for the Team

Despite limited time to prepare for the tournament, s1mple wasn’t just out there clicking heads — he showed clear macro understanding:

• Threw insta-smokes and flashes from spawn — simple but crucial details.
• Actively supported teammates with utility: flashes for karrigan, smokes for mid control, mollies to stop pushes.
• Rotational play — he took on the role of a free AWP, allowing him to be where he was needed most. He handled this like during his prime in NAVI.
• Game sense — read enemy attacks, took optimal angles, and “gambled” positions effectively.

These facts underline s1mple’s serious intention to fully return to pro play. It seems he’s tired of sitting inactive and settling for short-term rentals on sinking teams.

Mistakes? Yes. But Nothing Critical

To be fair, not everything was perfect. Some smokes landed off-target (especially the initial one for mid), and there were some flashes that failed to blind opponents. In one round, he clearly “zoned out,” moved his crosshair away, and missed a lurking enemy. But those were rare moments — especially in contrast to the overall composure he radiated with every movement.

s1mple Is Like a Phoenix — He Rose From the Ashes

If someone had claimed that after two years without regular competitive play, a player could drop 38 kills, post a 6.6 rating, and be the best on his team — it would’ve sounded like fantasy. But s1mple has always played by his own rules. This debut is proof that legends don’t age if the game still calls to them.

FaZe Clan lost the match, but s1mple made one thing clear — he’s ready to compete at the highest level. With the rest of IEM Dallas and the Austin Major ahead, this match served as a firm reminder that s1mple can still shift the game on his own. The numbers don’t lie: two years away from the pro scene haven’t erased his greatness. He’s still one of the best.