As the Perfect World Shanghai Major approaches, 24 of the world’s top Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams prepare to battle on the grand stage. However, not everyone will make the journey to China, and the absence of several prominent players and teams is making headlines.
From iconic veterans to rising stars, here’s a breakdown of the notable absentees from the first CS2 Major in Shanghai.
s1mple, dupreeh & Team Falcons
Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, one of the most celebrated players in Counter-Strike history, will miss the Shanghai Major following Team Falcons’ disappointing loss at the EU RMR. Expectations were low for the squad, but many hoped s1mple could lead them to the Major. Instead, the Falcons were eliminated by GamerLegion, and the organization disbanded the roster shortly after.
Adding to the absence is Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen, the only player to attend every CS:GO Major. Following a poor showing at the RMR, dupreeh and the Falcons’ roster now await post-Major roster changes, with rumors suggesting Nikola “NiKo” Kovač may join the team.
device & Astralis
Four consecutive Majors have passed without Astralis, and the Shanghai event continues this streak. The Danish powerhouse fell at the EU RMR B qualifier, exacerbated by Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz’s absence due to personal reasons.
Without dev1ce, Astralis struggled, losing to 9Pandas, Sashi Esport, and ultimately Passion UA. Despite their failure, Casper “cadiaN” Møller remains hopeful about the team’s potential, but questions loom over Astralis’ ability to remain competitive at the highest level.
ENCE
ENCE, known for their ability to punch above their weight, had a dismal performance at the RMR qualifier. Losses to KOI, UNiTY, and Monte — teams that didn’t even progress further — underscore their struggles in 2024.
After losing key players post-Copenhagen Major, ENCE has struggled to maintain consistency, but their win against HEROIC at the Elisa Masters Espoo hints at brighter prospects for 2025.
Eternal Fire
Eternal Fire’s exclusion from the Shanghai Major shocked many. After a strong 2024 season, highlighted by a quarterfinal appearance at the Copenhagen Major, expectations were high for the Turkish squad.
However, losses to lower-ranked teams like 3DMAX, Sashi, and Astralis eliminated them at the RMR. Despite the setback, İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş remains a pivotal figure, keeping the team’s future competitive hopes alive.
TYLOO
Chinese Counter-Strike icon TYLOO was widely expected to represent the home crowd at the Shanghai Major. Despite dominating the domestic scene, their hopes ended with a crushing loss to rivals Rare Atom in the Chinese RMR qualifier.
Complicating matters, TYLOO’s roster faced issues with Valve ranking points, forcing them into a tougher qualification path. Adding to their woes, star player Yang “JamYoung” Yi is reportedly transitioning to VALORANT, leaving their future uncertain.
A Major Missing Giants
The Shanghai Major promises to deliver thrilling action, but the absence of these legendary players and teams will undoubtedly leave a void.
While their failures highlight the unforgiving nature of CS2’s competitive scene, they also serve as a reminder that no legacy is safe. As the next wave of talent rises, these veterans will need to regroup and prove themselves in 2025.
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