CS2: The Budapest Major is about to begin. Which newcomer's debut is worth looking forward to?

Among the veteran players who have made their mark, only FalleN and apEX are widely recognized online, as they are considered strong contenders for the championship. Others have received mixed reviews. KRIMZ, a Swedish player, has been with fnatic for many years and is a long-time member of the team, with a total playing time of 4159 days. While he is hailed as the team's core player, his complacency and reliance on his comfort zone serve as a cautionary tale. After years of failing to achieve any respectable results, netizens worry that the Budapest Major might be his last.

Another player, device, whose name has appeared frequently on forums, is a veteran player with a still-famous reputation. He plays for Astralis and at his peak won four Valve-sponsored Major championships. Playing as a sniper, he's facing increasing difficulty challenging younger players. His reluctance to relinquish his position stems from his desire to avoid becoming another cadiaN. A role change led to an immediate decline in performance, even fading from the spotlight. Karrigan, whose team finished second-to-last at the 2024 Shanghai Major, hasn't lost heart. Playing for FaZe, he openly stated that if his teammates don't believe in his abilities, they'll willingly leave. He added that a loss this time would inevitably lead to a role change.

Kyousuke

For newcomers, their debuts often garner worldwide acclaim and high expectations. Kyousuke, 17, already made a name for himself in Spirit's youth academy, often touted as the next Donk. He's incredibly popular, has unlimited potential, and is highly regarded globally. However, the pressure of being compared to others could backfire. High expectations aren't always a good thing; the more glorious the moment, the more devastating the fall later. Mistakes will be magnified and scrutinized. In his first season in top-tier competition, his rating reached 1.26, consistently ranking in the top three in multiple tournaments, giving him the potential to become a top player.

kl1m

Second place goes to kl1m, who joined the competition in 2022 and has an average rating of 1.28 in 2025. He is the savior of the MIBR team and has delivered god-like data since joining. This Russian sniper, at the age of 20, led MIBR out of the abyss. He said that his teammates are his support and that he will start to show his true strength after adapting to the rhythm of the competition.

The third player, makazze, also debuted in 2022. He is 18 years old and has a bad reputation because he was rumored to be on the same team as a cheater, but he did not receive any punishment. In the eyes of the community, he is a big-name star player. His career highlights are his many key kills. Such players who can turn the tide are rare. Natus Vincere will not let him get away easily. His strength remains to be seen. If this assistance fails, he may be forced to transfer to other second-tier teams.