apEX: Need to reflect this past year and see what's next for us and for me
Is the French Vitality captain hinting at changes in the upcoming year?
As 2024 nears its end, the winter break has arrived for the top teams, offering a much-needed opportunity to reflect on the season. Among those reflecting is Vitality’s in-game leader (IGL), apEX, who recently shared his thoughts on Instagram, hinting at potential changes within the team. Could this be a sign of a roster shake-up for the French organization?
apEX’s Cryptic Instagram Post: A Sign of Change?
On Monday evening, apEX took to Instagram to address his followers, reflecting on the challenges of the season and hinting at possible changes. The 31-year-old, who has won two major titles with Vitality, shared his frustrations with the team's performance:
"Really tough ending of the season.
When you are not a real team, it’s really tough to win the major and that’s what I feel for a couple of months.
We end this season with only 1 trophy and a lot of downs.
Need to reflect this past year and see what’s next for us and for me.
Thanks for your support 💛🖤
Count on us for next year, we won’t disappoint you 2 years in a row."
This message has sparked speculation that Vitality could be considering a roster change, with apEX hinting at internal struggles and the need for self-reflection. While the message was cryptic, it seems to point towards a potential reshuffle as the team looks to improve and regain their competitive edge in 2025.
Vitality’s Performance in 2024: Successes and Struggles
Vitality has had a roller-coaster ride in 2024, with a mixture of high points and disappointments. The team made it to the finals in several tournaments, but struggled to convert those appearances into consistent victories. Let’s take a closer look at Vitality’s results throughout the year.
IEM Cologne: Vitality triumphed in the prestigious IEM Cologne tournament, securing a major victory.
ESL Pro League: Despite reaching the finals, they fell short, losing to MOUZ in the final.
IEM Dallas: A similar story, as Vitality was defeated by G2 in the finals.
PGL Major Copenhagen: Vitality reached the semifinals but fell short once again, this time at the hands of FaZe.
Perfect World Major Shanghai: In a disappointing turn of events, Vitality was eliminated in the quarterfinals, missing out on a potential major win.
Despite making it to the playoffs in 11 out of 12 tournaments, Vitality has had a series of frustrating losses. The team has been knocked out in the quarterfinals four times and the semifinals four times as well. This level of inconsistency has led to questions about the team’s cohesion and whether a roster change is needed.
Vitality's 2024 Tournament Results
BLAST Premier Spring Group | 1st-4th |
IEM Katowice | 13th-16th |
PGL Major Copenhagen | 3rd-4th |
ESL Pro League S19 | 2nd |
IEM Dallas | 2nd |
BLAST Premier Spring Final | 3rd-4th |
Esports World Cup 2024 | 5th-8th |
BLAST Premier Fall Group | 1st-4th |
IEM Cologne | 1st |
ESL Pro League S20 | 5th-8th |
BLAST Premier Fall Final | 3rd-4th |
IEM Rio | 5th-6th |
BLAST Premier World Final | 3rd-4th |
Perfect World Major Shanghai | 5th-8th |
These results suggest that while Vitality remains a competitive force, they have yet to achieve the level of dominance expected from a team of their caliber. The frustration expressed by apEX could be a reflection of these shortcomings.
Rumors of Roster Changes: Who Could Be Next?
In recent months, rumors have circulated regarding potential roster changes within Vitality. The first major change came in November 2023 when mezii replaced Magisk, who moved to Falcons. However, as of November 2024, new whispers have emerged, particularly surrounding Spinx’s future with the team.
Spinx has reportedly been marked as a possible departure, with some speculating that the player could be moving on to new opportunities. In contrast, flameZ, Spinx’s teammate, recently signed a three-year contract extension, making it unlikely that he will be leaving the team anytime soon.
Vitality’s current roster is as follows:
apEX (IGL)
ZywOo (AWPer)
Spinx (Rifler)
flameZ (Rifler)
mezii (Rifler)
XTQZZZ (Coach)
With potential changes in the air, it’s clear that Vitality’s management is considering all options as they prepare for the challenges of 2025. Whether or not these rumors will turn into reality remains to be seen.
As Vitality looks toward 2025, the team faces an important crossroads. The squad has proven that they are capable of winning major tournaments, but their inconsistency has raised doubts about their ability to perform at the highest level on a regular basis.
For Vitality to maintain their position as one of the top teams in CS:GO, significant changes may be necessary. Whether that involves roster adjustments, tactical shifts, or a renewed focus on team dynamics, Vitality’s path forward will likely be shaped by the decisions made in the coming months.
One thing is certain: Vitality will be a team to watch in 2025, as they look to bounce back from a year of mixed results and continue their pursuit of glory on the international stage.