Liam “MaiL09” Tügel is making a big impact on Counter-Strike. He’s only 16, but he already has the highest FACEIT ELO ever and three FPL titles in a row. His fast rise shows how far hard work and natural talent can go.

Early Dominance

MaiL09 started playing CS at age six. By eight years old he already reached Global Elite rank. That's the highest competitive rank in CS:GO, achieved before most kids finish elementary school. At 11 he won a local DreamHack junior event. At 13 he hit 4,000 ELO on FACEIT and earned his FPL-C invite. By 14 MaiL09 had played over 10,000 hours of Counter-Strike. That kind of commitment separates casual players from future professionals.

Breaking donk's Record

November 2025 was MaiL09's breakthrough moment. He hit 5,415 ELO on FACEIT. That crushed Danil "donk" Kryshkovets' previous record of 5,350 from July. Nobody expected a 16-year-old to break this record so fast. Now he's the highest-rated player in FACEIT history.

But he didn't stop there. MaiL09 won his third FPL title in a row. This ended donk's winning streak. He became the youngest player ever at #1 on FACEIT. If he kept that spot through November 23rd, he'd set another record. He'd be the youngest seasonal champion in FACEIT history.

FACEIT Statistics That Tell the Story

MaiL09's FACEIT numbers are extraordinary for someone his age:

• Total Matches: Over 3,700 played since 2021
• Win Rate: 57% overall
• K/D Ratio: 1.47
• Headshot Percentage: 69%
• Current ELO: 5,415 (record-breaking)

These statistics aren't just good for a teenager. They're elite numbers that put him ahead of established professionals grinding FACEIT daily.

The Metizport Chapter

In July 2025, MaiL09 transferred from Johnny Speeds to Metizport. This move represented a step up in competition and expectations. His statistics with Johnny Speeds were impressive.

However, his time with Metizport hasn’t brought the same success. The team is currently ranked #104 in the world. MaiL09 plays well, but the roster keeps changing, and Metizport still can’t break through. The only notable achievement for the team is the second place at Svenska Cupen 2025. This local event brought Metizport $7,407.

Why FACEIT Success Doesn't Equal Team Success

MaiL09's situation highlights a common problem in CS2: individual brilliance doesn't guarantee team results. On FACEIT he plays with and against top players in pugs where individual skill matters most. With Metizport he faces coordinated teams with established systems. Metizport's roster has been unstable throughout 2025. The constant change prevents the team chemistry and tactical depth needed to compete with elite organizations.

Setup and Config

MaiL09 uses a competitive setup focused on performance over flashiness. Here are the key points:

Resolution: 1280x960 (4:3 stretched)Sensitivity: 800 DPI × 1.20 = 960 eDPIMain Gear: Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, Wooting 60HE, ZOWIE XL2546K

For his complete settings including crosshair, launch options, and full config details, check out our detailed MaiL09 config page.

What Makes Him Special

Several factors separate MaiL09 from other young talents. His mechanical skill is obvious from his 69% headshot rate and 1.47 K/D. But mechanics alone don't explain his success.

His game sense is advanced for his age. He makes smart decisions under pressure and reads opponents well. His consistency across thousands of FACEIT matches shows mental toughness. Most teenagers tilt after losses. MaiL09 maintains his level regardless of circumstances.

MaiL09 represents Counter-Strike's future. His FACEIT dominance, record-breaking ELO, and three consecutive FPL titles prove his individual brilliance. His struggles with Metizport show that even generational talents need proper support.