Rounding off the 2025 Counter-Strike 2 esports calendar, StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 features 32 of the teams in the world for a chance to etch their names in history.
Valve’s second tentpole tournament is filled with seasoned veterans looking for one last shot at glory and rookies hoping to cement their names in the history books.
As the teams head to the Hungarian capital, Esports Insider takes a look at five players to watch out for during the event.
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Time For Jcobbb To Shine?
Since signing for FaZe Clan in August, Jakub ‘jcobbb’ Pietruszweski has struggled to make his mark on a roster armed with a wealth of experience in top-tier tournaments. In the past three months, the team has placed no higher than sixth, even with Russel ‘Twistzz’ Van Dulken returning to the starting lineup.
Filling the shoes of Jonathan ‘ELiGE’ Jablonowski continues to be a tricky task for jcobb, a young player still finding his feet on the international stage. FaZe Clan is yet to conjure the magic that saw it reach consecutive Major Grand Finals in 2024, but it begins its Budapest Major campaign as the highest profile team in Stage 1.
When firing on all cylinders, FaZe Clan can contend against the world’s best. If jcobbb hits the ground running, the chances of the Red Militia advancing to Stage 2 are high.
Can Controlez Find Form?
The arrival of Unudelger ‘controlez’ Baasanjargal to The MongolZ caught many by surprise. Despite topping October’s Valve Regional Standings (VRS) and finishing second at the Austin Major, the Mongolian national team opted to bench Azbayar ‘Senzu’ Munkhbold in favour of the 28-year-old rifler.
Budapest marks the second Major appearance for Controlez, having represented Chinggis Warriors in Austin. While the rifler brings a wealth of experience from a career spanning a decade, it remains unclear if The MongolZ can adjust without Senzu’s impressive fragging ability.
Ahead of the Major, the new-look team has displayed glimpses of brilliance, but it remains to be seen if The MongolZ can return to form and end the year on a high note.
Is JamYoung The Key To Chinese Success?
The Chinese Counter-Strike scene has continued to establish itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, with several teams and players finding success in international tournaments. TYLOO, in particular, managed to cement its place as one of the world’s best teams after winning FISSURE Playground 1, the first tournament following the post-Austin Major break.
During the tournament, Yang ‘JamYoung’ Ji excelled as the team adapted to competing with coach Zhong ‘zhokiNg’ Weijie in place of Ji ‘Jee’ Dongkai for the majority of the event. Even with Jee returning to the AWP role, JamYoung continued to make an impact, topping the scoreboard with 90 eliminations over the Grand Final’s four maps.
Heading into Budapest, TYLOO’s form has continued a downward trajectory, failing to make the playoffs of any Tier 1 event it competed in. However, the impact of an in-form JamYoung can’t go unnoticed. If the rifler is performing to a similar level of FISSURE Playground 1, the Chinese side could spring a few surprises during its Major campaign.
Will Donk Spearhead Team Spirit To Glory?
Throughout the first half of 2025, Team Spirit was among the teams capable of dethroning Team Vitality from the top step of the podium. Following the Austin Major, early signs of establishing its own run of dominance came to fruition with victories at IEM Cologne 2025 and BLAST Bounty Season 2.
Often at the forefront of Team Spirit’s success is Danil ‘donk’ Kryshkovets. Since joining the main roster in 2023, the 18-year-old has become one of the best riflers on the planet, consistently demonstrating clinical precision and the ability to clutch.
Following its triumph at BLAST Bounty, Team Spirit’s form has started to decline, with a top-six placement at BLAST Rivals Fall 2025 being the best result since August. Donk remains a force to be reckoned with on the server, and as long as his firepower doesn’t drop, Team Spirit has a chance of becoming a two-time Major winner.
Molodoy’s Chance For Greatness
FURIA’s pivot to an international roster in April has resulted in the Brazilian organisation becoming the world’s best Counter-Strike team, topping November’s VRS. AWPer Danil ‘molodoy’ Golubenko has surpassed all expectations in the eight months with the team, regularly proving his worth with the sniper in hand.
Under the guidance of Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo, molodoy continues to impress on the biggest stages. Superior positioning combined with lightning-fast reaction times has acted as the catalyst for FURIA’s climb to the top of the international scene.
With many predicting FURIA to lift the trophy, molodoy will play a pivotal role if he is to round off a fantastic rookie season with Counter-Strike’s biggest prize.
Source: https://esportsinsider.com/
