Today, Team Vitality announces the contract extensions of two of Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)'s most prestigious talents: Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut, "The Chosen One," widely considered the best player of his generation, and Dan "apEX" Madesclaire, IGL, whose leadership has helped make Team Vitality one of the most successful organizations in CS2 history.
Revealed live at the Esports World Cup in Paris, these two superstars extend their journey with Team Vitality until 2028. This marks a new major step for the organization and reaffirms its ambition to build a historic legacy in the long term.
NO PLACE LIKE TEAM VITALITY
Recruited by Team Vitality in 2018, when the organization was taking its first steps in the Counter-Strike scene, ZywOo, then 18, made his international debut. Since then, his unparalleled consistency, precision, and composure under pressure have allowed him to establish himself as one of the best players in the game's history. A career marked by historic performances and Major victories, which have allowed him to join the ranks of the greatest players in the game's history.
From young rookie to confirmed veteran, ZywOo's exceptional performances have earned him a record 32 HLTV MVP titles and 3 Major MVP titles, as well as the HLTV best player title in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2025. He was also named Esports Breakthrough Player of the Decade, Esports PC Player of the Year at the Esports Awards, and featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2021: Sports & Games list.
"Team Vitality has been my home for many years, and I’m incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together. But we are not done yet.” explains Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut “Extending my contract felt like the right decision for the next chapter of my career. Representing a French organization at the highest level means a lot to me, and Vitality has always done everything possible to build the best team in the world. We all share the same ambition: to keep winning trophies and stay at the top.
Thank you to Neo and everyone at Vitality for their trust, and to my teammates and coaches, because none of this would have been possible without them. Thank you also to all our fans, especially the Golden Hornets, for bringing so much passion and energy wherever we play, and to my mother and my family for their constant support. I’m excited and confident about what comes next!"
A Counter-Strike veteran with over a decade at the highest level, apEX is among the most successful players in CS2 history, with over 30 S-Tier tournament victories to his name. An emblematic figure of French esports, he is recognized for his aggressive playstyle, passionate leadership, and ability to inspire his teams on the biggest stages.
Since joining Team Vitality in 2018 alongside ZywOo, apEX has established himself as one of the most respected in-game leaders, guiding the organization during its most prolific period. Under his leadership, Team Vitality has won 3 Major titles and 26 S-Tier trophies, earning him the HLTV IGL of the Year title in 2023 and 2025, thus solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential figures in CS2.
"Extending my journey with Vitality after eight incredible years is a source of immense pride. This club has given me the greatest moments of my career, and together, we have built something truly special. When I look at all we have accomplished, it's an honor to have contributed to making Vitality the most successful Counter-Strike organization in the world during this period," says Dan "apEX" Madesclaire. "What makes this adventure even more special is our fans. Wherever we play, we know we can count on their support. The Golden Hornets and the entire Vitality community have become a benchmark in esports, and we are incredibly lucky to have them by our side every step of the way. Giving back even a fraction of the love and passion they show us has always been one of our greatest motivations, and will remain so."
He adds: "Every time we think we've reached our peak, we find a way to go even further. This past year has shown that again, and that's why I'm so excited to see what's next. I am grateful to the club, my teammates, and our fans for their trust, and I can't wait to write the next chapter of Team Vitality's history together. "
After an unprecedented two-year period for the CS2 roster, Team Vitality continues to redefine excellence at the highest level. Alongside their teammates Shahar "flameZ" Shushan, William "mezii" Merriman, and Robin "ropz" Kool, ZywOo and apEX have etched their names in history, winning two ESL Grand Slams and achieving a record-breaking 30 consecutive victories in 2025.
The CS2 roster's dominance continued throughout 2025, notably with the prestigious HLTV Esports Team of the Year award. Team Vitality also confirmed its place among the global elite by winning the highly coveted Best Esports Team award at the Game Awards 2025.
The team continued this momentum in 2026, already winning five international trophies this year, including at IEM Krakow, PGL Cluj-Napoca, BLAST Rotterdam, IEM Rio, and BLAST Rivals Spring.
PARIS IN TEAM VITALITY'S COLORS
To celebrate this historic announcement, Team Vitality returned to where it all began, transforming its home city, Paris, into a huge stage for one of the most important announcements in its history. As a tribute to its roots and the fans who have supported the organization since its beginnings, this campaign was deployed throughout the city, in collaboration with the Esports World Cup, directly in the heart of the capital's most iconic locations.
Fans may have already seen posters teasing the announcement of ZywOo and apEX's renewal around Porte de Versailles, inviting Parisians to witness this announcement live at the Esports World Cup. As part of this city-wide campaign, fans can also discover a black and white Team Vitality mural created by renowned Parisian artist NAIRONE, who leaves his mark on Paris with a bold new work on Quai de Valmy, near the Canal Saint-Martin.
The campaign also continued in the streets of Paris with an activation on city buses in Team Vitality's colors, displaying the extension announcement. ZywOo and apEX's faces thus traveled across the capital, allowing fans to take part in the next chapter of Team Vitality's history.
STRENGTHENING TEAM VITALITY'S INTERNATIONAL AMBITIONS
Together, Team Vitality, ZywOo, and apEX have built one of the most impressive track records in Counter-Strike history, combining victorious performances and individual excellence to establish themselves as a CS2 benchmark on the international stage.
The extension of these two key players represents a true declaration of intent for Team Vitality's future. By continuing to invest in elite talent, player development, and providing world-class resources, the organization strengthens its position and influence as a major player in the international esports ecosystem.
"We signed these two players together in 2018. At the end of their next contract in 2028, they will have spent no less than ten years at Team Vitality. In esports, such a level of loyalty and longevity is extremely rare, and I am immensely proud to have built this adventure with them," explains Fabien "Neo" Devide, co-founder and CEO of Team Vitality. "What makes this story even more exceptional is that throughout all these years, they have maintained an extraordinary level of excellence and consistency, evolving at the highest level. Their commitment, loyalty, and dedication have played an essential role in making Counter-Strike the spearhead of our organization and in shaping Team Vitality's legacy. We have shared some of the greatest moments in our history, and I couldn't be prouder of what we have accomplished together. I am extremely excited to see what we can achieve in this new chapter!"
For Team Vitality, the ambition remains clear: to place performance at the heart of its strategy while ensuring the long-term future of its emblematic players. The organization thus reinforces its commitment to lasting success in Counter-Strike, while pursuing an even greater ambition: to make Team Vitality the world's number one esports club.
