In a historic moment for Counter-Strike and the broader esports industry, Team Vitality’s Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut has graced the front page of L’Équipe magazine today.
The issue, released this morning, February 18th, features the 25-year-old superstar under the headline “Le Boss de Counter-Strike” (The Boss of Counter-Strike). This marks a significant milestone in the mainstream acceptance of esports in France, placing ZywOo in the same spotlight traditionally reserved for football icons and Olympic athletes.
How to Get a Copy
For international fans or collectors in France trying to get their hands on this physical piece of history, the distribution model for L’Équipe magazine has recently changed to make it more accessible.
As explained by local sources, there are now two distinct ways to purchase the issue:
- Starting Wednesday (Today): The magazine is available as a standalone “individual” purchase at newsstands and newsagents. It will remain on shelves in this format for one week.
- This Saturday: If you miss the initial drop, the magazine will be bundled as a supplement with the daily L’Équipe newspaper for the weekend edition.
A Golden Era for French Esports
ZywOo’s cover feature is the cherry on top of a dominant 12-month run for Team Vitality. The organization has cemented itself as the undisputed king of Counter-Strike 2, winning a staggering 11 Tier 1 tournaments in the last year.
Most recently, Vitality were crowned champions of IEM Kraków 2026 earlier this month, defeating FURIA 3-1 in the Grand Final. That victory followed their monumental achievement of securing Season 5 of the ESL Grand Slam, a feat that awarded the team a $1,000,000 bonus for their sustained excellence.
Beyond the server, ZywOo’s personal brand continues to grow, with recent signature peripheral launches in collaboration with ASUS ROG (the Falchion Ace HFX keyboard) and Pulsar (a new gaming mouse).
L’Équipe’s Growing Esports Coverage
This is not a one-off event for the prestigious publication. L’Équipe has been steadily increasing its esports coverage since December 2025. In January 2025, they featured League of Legends prodigy Caliste “Caliste” Henry-Hennebert on the cover, signaling a committed editorial shift toward recognizing digital athletes.
The feature comes amidst a bustling period for the French ecosystem. The French Union of Professional Esports Clubs recently announced its application to partner with the inaugural Esports Nations Cup, set to take place in Riyadh in November 2026. Furthermore, Paris just played host to the Six Invitational 2026 at the Adidas Arena (Feb 13-15), further solidifying the country’s status as a global esports hub.
