Natus Vincere, commonly referred to as NAVI, is an iconic name within the esports landscape, particularly in the Counter-Strike franchise. Founded in 2009, the Ukrainian organization has consistently been a dominant force in competitive gaming. Known for its rich history of achievements and revolutionary gameplay, NAVI has carved a niche as one of the most formidable teams in esports. Their legacy spans from the early days of Counter-Strike 1.6 to the ongoing Counter-Strike 2 era, solidifying their reputation as trailblazers in the global esports ecosystem.
The Early Days – NAVI’s Foundation and Rise in Counter-Strike
NAVI’s journey began in December 2009, thanks to the initiative of Murat “Arbalet” Zhumashevich and close collaborators. The organization’s entry into esports was swift and impactful, primarily due to the accomplishments of their “Golden Five” Counter-Strike 1.6 roster. Composed of star players like Zeus, Edward, markeloff, starix, and ceh9, NAVI quickly established itself as an elite team globally.
The roster had a groundbreaking year in 2010, securing 12 medals, including 8 major titles in international tournaments. Among their most notable victories were wins at the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Season IV World Championship, ESWC 2010, and WCG 2010. NAVI became the first team in history to win all three prestigious tournaments within a calendar year, achieving unparalleled dominance in Counter-Strike 1.6.
Transition to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
The transition to CS:GO in 2012 marked a critical juncture for NAVI. The initial iteration of the roster struggled to replicate their Counter-Strike 1.6 success. Over time, the organization adjusted its strategy, undergoing several roster changes to adapt to the nuances of CS:GO. This period saw the recruitment of high-potential players who would eventually leave an indelible mark on the team’s history.
One of NAVI’s defining moments came in 2018 when they reached the finals of the FACEIT Major in London. However, true glory awaited them in 2021 during the PGL Major Stockholm. The team, comprising s1mple, b1t, electronic, Perfecto, and Boombl4, wrote themselves into history by winning the event with an undefeated run. They became the first team to win a Major Championship without dropping a single map, cementing their legacy in CS:GO esports.
The NAVI Legacy – A Look at the Rosters
The “Golden Five” Roster (Counter-Strike 1.6)
Zeus (Danylo Teslenko)- Edward (Ioann Sukhariev)
- markeloff (Yegor Markelov)
- starix (Sergey Ischuk)
- ceh9 (Arseny Trynozhenko)
The Golden Five became legendary for their cohesion, tactical depth, and unparalleled skills that led them to incredible victories in 2010. Their dominance during the Counter-Strike 1.6 era remains a benchmark for excellence in team-based esports.
CS:GO Rosters Over the Years
Once NAVI transitioned to CS:GO, subsequent years saw numerous roster changes. Notable players such as flamie, GuardiaN, and seized contributed significantly during different phases of NAVI’s progression in CS:GO tournaments.
In 2021, NAVI made a pivotal move by adding Valerii “b1t” Vakhovskyi, a young and promising talent, to the active roster. This decision bore fruit when NAVI had their most successful year in competitive CS:GO, highlighted by their PGL Major Stockholm triumph.
Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev
The Ukrainian player was for many years synonymous with NAVI. From 2016 until the end of 2023, s1mple was considered one of the best players in the world. He excelled both as a rifler and an AWPer for NAVI, with the victory at the PGL Stockholm Major in 2021 being one of the major highlights. With the launch of CS2, s1mple chose to take a break from the game. He is still affiliated with the organization at the start of 2025, but a return to NAVI doesn’t seem imminent.
Current Roster (Counter-Strike 2)
Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen
Justinas “jL” Lekavičius
Mihai “iM” Ivan- Valerii “b1t” Vakhovskyi
- Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov
In 2023, NAVI formed its first international roster—a major organizational shift aimed at maintaining competitiveness in the evolving esports landscape.
NAVI’s Dominance in Major Championships
PGL Major Stockholm 2021 – A Defining Victory
PGL Major Stockholm stands as NAVI’s greatest moment in CS:GO. With Aleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev at the helm, the team produced arguably the most dominant Major performance in history, winning all their matches without dropping a single map. The Stockholm Major underscored NAVI’s tactical superiority and mechanical brilliance.
PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 – A Milestone in Counter-Strike 2
NAVI carried their dominance into Counter-Strike 2 by clinching victory at the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the first-ever Major for the newest iteration of the Counter-Strike franchise. NAVI defeated FaZe Clan 2-1 in the grand finals to secure the championship, with Justinas “jL” Lekavičius earning the honor of the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
🏆PGL Major Stockholm 2021
🏆PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024
🥈DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015
🥈MLG Columbus 2016
🥈FACEIT Major London 2018
🥈PGL Major Antwerp 2022
🥉DreamHack Winter 2014
🥉ELEAGUE Major 2018
🥉IEM Katowice 2019
Key NAVI Achievements in Notable Tournaments
🏆PGL Major Stockholm 2021 – $1,000,000
🏆Intel Grand Slam Season 3 – $1,000,000
🏆BLAST Premier: Global Final 2020 – $600,000
🏆PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 – $500,000
🏆BLAST Premier: World Final 2024 – $500,00
🏆Esports World Cup 2024 – $400,000
🏆IEM Cologne 2021 – $400,000
🏆IEM World Championship 2020 – $250,000
🏆StarSeries & i-League CS:GO Season 7 – $250,000
- ESL Pro League Seasons: Regular top-tier finishes, including a title win in Season 20 after beating Eternal Fire 3-2.
- IEM Cologne and Rio: Though narrowly missing victory in Cologne, NAVI consolidated their excellence with a win at the IEM Rio event in 2024.
- BLAST Premier: Consistent appearances in both Spring and Fall Finals, underscoring their enduring relevance in the competitive scene.
The Architect of Success – NAVI’s Coaching Philosophy
Integral to NAVI’s success is their head coach Andrey “b1ad3” Gorodenskiy. Known for his keen eye for talent and his ability to adapt tactics, b1ad3 has played a pivotal role in steering NAVI through roster transitions and maintaining their position as a powerhouse in competitive Counter-Strike.
Under his leadership, NAVI has excelled both in fostering young talent and achieving consistent critical success, ensuring the team remains competitive despite challenges and changes in the esports landscape.
FAQ – Everything You Need to Know About NAVI
What does NAVI stand for?
NAVI stands for “Natus Vincere,” which translates from Latin to “Born to Win.”
When was NAVI founded?
NAVI was founded in December 2009 as a professional esports organization.
Who is NAVI’s most iconic player?
Aleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev is often regarded as NAVI’s most iconic player for his individual skill and leadership in many of the team’s victories.
What was NAVI’s greatest achievement in CS:GO?
NAVI’s greatest achievement in CS:GO was their flawless victory at PGL Major Stockholm 2021, where they went undefeated throughout the tournament.
Who are the current players in NAVI’s Counter-Strike 2 roster?
The current roster consists of Aleksib, jL, iM, b1t, and w0nderful.
What makes NAVI a unique esports organization?
NAVI is highly regarded for its blend of tactical innovation, outstanding individual skill, and a commitment to nurturing young talent within a highly structured team dynamic.
Who is NAVI’s coach?
NAVI is coached by Andrey “b1ad3” Gorodenskiy, known for his innovative leadership and talent development skills.
What was NAVI’s first Major win in Counter-Strike 2?
NAVI’s first Major win in Counter-Strike 2 was at the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024.
How has NAVI’s roster evolved over time?
NAVI’s roster has undergone several changes since its inception, transitioning from an all-Ukrainian lineup to an international team in 2023.
What are some of NAVI’s key rivalries?
NAVI has developed fierce rivalries with teams like FaZe Clan, Vitality, and G2 Esports over the years, particularly in major finals and grand-stage tournaments.
