The world of professional CS:GO is woven from unforgettable triumphs and epic victories. Majors, as the most prestigious tournaments, have always caught the eye of the esports community. However, some outstanding players' talents and skills were not accompanied by victories on this grand stage. Let's look at five players who could have won a major but didn't.

#5 - Kedrin RPK Apollo

RPK, whose real name is Kedrin Apollon, is a French player famous for his reliability and contribution to the team. In 2015, he was part of the G2 Esports team (they called Titan back then), which was able to go the long and challenging way to the finals of the DreamHack Cluj-Napoca Major.

In the final match of this prestigious tournament, RPK and his team faced the giants of CS:GO: the Fnatic team, considered one of the best at that time. However, despite all their efforts, G2 Esports couldn’t stand up to their opponents and lost with a score of 2:0. Fnatic showed their strength and coordination and proved stronger in this confrontation.

Since then, RPK has continued his career with various teams, including Envy, Vitality, and LDLC. But he still couldn't lift the cup above his head. RPK visited only 5 majors in his career:

1. DreamHack Cluj-Napoca Major 2015: RPK played with Titan. They reached the Major finals, where they met with the Fnatic team and lost with a score of 2:0, taking second place.
2. ESL One Cologne 2015: RPK continued to play for Kinguin. They reached the tournament's quarterfinals but lost to the Envy team with a score of 2:1 and took 5th-8th place.
3. PGL Krakow Major 2017: RPK represented G2 Esports. They reached the playoff stage of the tournament but lost to the North team in the quarterfinals with a score of 2:1, taking 5th-8th place.
4. FACEIT London Major 2018: RPK played for Team Vitality in this Major. They passed the group stage but lost to the Astralis team in the quarterfinals with a score of 2:1, taking 5th-8th place.
5. StarLadder Berlin Major 2019: RPK continued to play for Vitality. They reached the tournament's semifinals but lost to the Astralis team with a score of 2:0 and took 3-4th place.

After that, in 2021, he ended his career as a professional player.

#4 - Eternal trio of players nitr0, EliGE, and NAF

The trio of players Nick nitr0 Cannella, Jonathan EliGE Jablonowski, and Keith NAF Markovich is one of the most successful and recognizable lineups in the history of Team Liquid. Together they took part in several majors. Although the guys achieved remarkable results, they couldn’t win a single one.

The trio of players nitr0, EliGE, and NAF started playing together as part of the Team Liquid team at the beginning of 2017. They united in one team and continue to perform together until today.

Here are their most successful Majors:

1. ESL One Cologne 2016: At this major held in Cologne, Germany, a trio of players from Team Liquid showed excellent play. They reached the tournament's quarterfinals but lost to the SK Gaming team with a score of 2:0 and took 5th-8th place.
2. ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017: It was a historic moment for Team Liquid. Nitr0, EliGE, and NAF were part of the team that reached the final of the Major. In the grand final, they met the Astralis team, but could not overcome them, lost 2:1, and took second place.
3. FACEIT London Major 2018: At this major, Team Liquid continued their performances at a high level. They were able to pass the group stage and reach the playoffs. However, in the quarterfinals, they lost to the Astralis team again with a score of 2:0 and took 5th-8th place.
4. Intel Extreme Masters Katowice Major 2019: This Major in Poland was another important one for Team Liquid. The trio of players showed strength and confidence, leading the team to the tournament finals. However, they met Astralis again and could not overcome them, losing 2:0 and taking second place.
5. BLAST.tv Major Paris 2023: Team Liquid goes through 8 rounds of hell and gets into the championship playoffs. They had to go through the American RMR first, then the Challenger Stage, then the Legend Stage. And what in the end? In the tournament's quarterfinals, the team lost to Apeks with a score of 0:2 and was eliminated! The boys took 5th-8th place.

#3 - Ladislav GuardiaN Kovac

Ladislav GuardiaN Kovac is one of the most famous and talented players in the history of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. He took part in many Major tournaments and achieved great results, but like the rest of our list, he needed help getting the championship title everyone wanted.

1. DreamHack Winter 2013: GuardiaN played for Natus Vincere in his first Major. They made it to the playoffs but lost to Fnatic in the quarterfinals 2:0 and finished 5th-8th.
2. EMS One Katowice 2014: GuardiaN continued to play for Natus Vincere in the next Major. The team passed the group stage, but in the playoffs, lost to the HellRaisers in the quarterfinals with a score of 2:0 and took 5th-8th place.
3. ESL One Cologne 2014: GuardiaN was still part of Natus Vincere at this Major. They passed the group stage and reached the semifinals of the tournament. In the semifinals, they met with the Fnatic team and lost to them with a score of 2:0, taking 3-4th place.
4. DreamHack Cluj-Napoca 2015: GuardiaN continued to play for Natus Vincere. The team passed the group stage and reached the final of the Major. They played against the Fnatic team but lost to them with a score of 2:0 and took second place.
5. MLG Columbus 2016: GuardiaN represented FaZe Clan at this Major. They passed the group stage and reached the playoffs. In the quarterfinals, they lost to the Astralis team with a score of 2:1 and took 5th-8th place.
6. ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017: GuardiaN again played for Natus Vincere. The team passed the group stage and reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to the Astralis team with a score of 2:1 and took 5th-8th place.
7. PGL Krakow 2017: GuardiaN represented Natus Vincere at this Major. They passed the group stage, but in the quarterfinals, they lost to the BIG team with a score of 2:1 and took 5th-8th place.
8. FACEIT London Major 2018: In the last Major for GuardiaN, he played for FaZe Clan. The team passed the group stage and reached the final. However, they could not defeat the Astralis team, lost to them with a score of 2:0, and took second place.

On May 1, 2022, Ladislav GuardiaN Kovac joined the Sampi team and continued his career in CS:GO. However, on September 21, 2022, he left the team, and since then, there has been no news or official announcements regarding his plans in professional esports. Currently, there is no information about his current team or plans. Let's hope we have more news about the legend's return and performances.

#4 - Kasper cadiaN Moller

Kasper cadiaN Moller is a Danish professional player in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, known for his talent and leadership skills. He started his CS:GO career in 2013 and has become a key player in several well-known teams.

Kasper cadiaN Moller also has a rich biography and many achievements outside the Majors. He began his professional career with the Copenhagen Wolves team, then moved to Astralis and North teams, where he played an essential role as a leader and strategist. In 2020, he joined the Heroic team.

At Major tournaments, cadiaN also demonstrated its potential and achieved significant results.

1. ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018: Kasper cadiaN Moller represented Team North in this Major. They passed the group stage, but in the quarterfinals, they lost to the mousesports team with a score of 2:1 and took 5th-8th place.
2. FACEIT London Major 2018: At the next major, cadiaN played for Team Rogue. They failed to pass the group stage and left the tournament in 16th place.
3. StarLadder Berlin Major 2019: cadiaN has represented Team North there. They passed the group stage and reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to the AVANGAR team with a score of 2:0 and took 5th-8th place.
4. ESL One Rio 2020: cadiaN played for Heroic in this Major. They passed the group stage and reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to the Astralis team with a score of 2:0 and took 5th-8th place.
5. BLAST.tv Major Paris 2023: The Heroic team successfully reaches the tournament playoffs, but they lose to the FaZe Clan team with a score of 1:2 and leave the tournament in 3rd-4th place.

This is how cadiaN cheer up the team before the last match at the CS:GO Final Major:

Guys, it's time to talk. The story begins in 2013. A guy is riding the train. His mother was worried because he was going to LAN, to Sweden, to Jönköping. It was my first Major a long time ago, ten years ago. It took me 10 years to find a team. This is a place where you can trust each other, where everyone can make a difference in the game and say what they feel without judgment. That's what this team is about. It took me 10 years, and finishing this Major with you would be nice. Let's do it, I'm thrilled to do it with you. Let's go, Madsen! Are we ready? YES! Are we ready? YES! What are we fighting for? VICTORY! Let's do it, GUYS! GO!

#5 - Nikola NiKo Kovac

Niko, full name Nikola Kovac, is a Bosnian-Croatian professional Counter-Strike player known for his skills and ability to make key decisions in the game. He became one of the most influential and notable players in the world of CS:GO.

1. ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017: Niko represented the mousesports team at this Major. They passed the group stage and reached the playoffs, where they lost to the FaZe Clan team with a score of 2:1 in the semifinals, taking 3-4th place.
2. ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018: At the next Major, Niko played for FaZe Clan. They passed the group stage and reached the final of the Major. However, they could not defeat the Cloud9 team, lost to them with a score of 2:1, and took second place.
3. StarLadder Berlin Major 2019: Niko represented the FaZe Clan team. They passed the group stage and reached the semifinals, where they lost to the Astralis team with a score of 2:0 and took 3-4th place.
4. ESL One Rio 2020: Niko played for FaZe Clan in this Major. They passed the group stage and reached the playoffs, where they lost to Complexity Gaming with a score of 2:1 in the quarterfinals, taking 5th-8th place.
5. PGL Major Stockholm 2021: G2 Esports passed the tournament's group stage, showing strong play and demonstrating a high level of strategy and individual skill. In the playoffs, they played in the quarterfinals against Natus Vincere. Unfortunately, G2 Esports lost 2:0 (16:9 on Mirage and 16:12 on Overpass) and left the tournament in 5th-8th place.
6. BLAST.tv Major Paris 2023: You can't say that G2 ultimately failed this tournament but they didn't make it to the playoffs. And the fact that they flush away in the Legends Stage with a score of 1:3 is also sad. Thus, Niko summed up his performance in CS:GO, taking 12th-14th place at the last Major in this game version.

And this is exactly the same mistake that cost Niko the victory at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021:

In conclusion, after considering the paths and achievements of such outstanding players as RPK, Nitro, EliGE, NAF, GuardiaN, cadiaN, and Niko, it is clear that they have left their mark in the history of CS:GO Major tournaments. They demonstrated unique game skills, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities but could not win the major title.

Today, however, marks the end of an era for CS:GO as the game slowly retires. Along with it comes a new chapter - CS2, the game's next version, which promises players new opportunities and experiences. CS2 is expected to be released this summer, and fans worldwide eagerly await new adventures in the Counter:Strike game series.

Let the memory of the legendary moments, paths, and achievements of these players at Major tournaments remain in the hearts of CS:GO fans, and let CS2 continue to develop this great tradition of competitive gaming and deliver unforgettable moments and emotions to players around the world.