Throughout his illustrious Counter-Strike career, one achievement has consistently slipped through NiKo’s grasp: winning a Major. While he’s secured victories at prestigious tournaments like Cologne and Katowice, the Major—the pinnacle of CS competition—remains absent from his trophy cabinet. For a player of NiKo’s caliber, often regarded as the greatest to never win a Major, this gap looms large.
Every Major he competes in brings the same question: will this be the one? In ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018, NiKo came agonizingly close, holding six match points against underdogs Cloud9, yet failing to close it out. Fast forward to PGL Major Stockholm 2021, where his G2 roster was decisively outplayed by NAVI in the Grand Final. These near misses remain haunting reminders of what could have been, leaving an undeniable void in his otherwise decorated career.
NiKo’s Potential Move to Falcons: A Risk to His Major Ambitions?
As NiKo approaches his 28th birthday with nearly a decade of competitive play behind him, his consistency and dominance remain remarkable. However, his time at the top won’t last forever, and his impending move to Falcons following the PW Shanghai Major 2024 raises questions about his future chances at Major glory.
Falcons, known for their deep financial resources, have the potential to build an all-star roster around NiKo. They’ve invested heavily in high-profile players, offering top-tier salaries to compete at the highest level. Yet, their 2024 performance was underwhelming, marred by repeated failures and underperforming stars. Despite their wealth, the team hasn’t managed to create a cohesive unit capable of winning championships.
While NiKo’s arrival could rejuvenate the roster, creating a new lineup hungry for victory won’t be easy. Convincing world-class players to join a team with a mixed reputation and unproven success in critical tournaments remains a significant challenge. Although not impossible, this uphill battle will likely be NiKo’s most demanding test yet.
Adding to the difficulty is the new CS2 circuit for 2025, where tournament invites will be based on Valve Regional Standings. Falcons currently sit at 45th, and with most of their roster departing, they’ll essentially have to start from scratch. This means NiKo could find himself grinding online qualifiers to earn enough points for Major contention—a stark departure from his current position among the world’s elite teams.
These hurdles make the PW Shanghai Major 2024 feel like more than just another tournament. For NiKo, it could genuinely be his last realistic opportunity to claim the elusive Major title.
The PW Shanghai Major 2024 Bracket: NiKo’s Golden Opportunity
For G2 and NiKo, the Shanghai Major Playoffs Bracket couldn’t have shaped up more favorably. On their side, they face Heroic in the quarterfinals—a team they’ve historically outperformed. Should they advance, they’ll face the winner of Vitality vs. FaZe Clan in the semifinals.
This matchup will likely define the entire tournament. While Vitality poses the biggest challenge, G2 has consistently beaten both Vitality and FaZe in recent encounters. Even against Vitality, G2 would likely enter the semifinals as slight favorites.
Assuming G2 conquers the tougher side of the bracket, their potential Final opponents are far less intimidating. The other side features The MongolZ, Liquid, and MOUZ, all of whom G2 should comfortably defeat in their current form. MOUZ might present an upset threat, but their tendency to falter on big stages remains a liability. The most likely Final matchup appears to be against Spirit.
G2’s Edge Over Spirit
If the Grand Final indeed sees G2 vs. Spirit, history is on NiKo’s side. G2 has consistently outclassed Spirit in recent matchups, including a dominant victory at the BLAST World Final 2024. Spirit’s rising star, donk, has been a key factor in their success, but NiKo has proven to be one of the few players capable of neutralizing his impact.
For Spirit to claim victory, they would need an exceptional, out-of-character performance. G2’s roster, led by NiKo, has consistently demonstrated its ability to counter Spirit’s strategies. Unless Spirit delivers something extraordinary, G2 stands as a clear favorite to lift the trophy.
Why Shanghai 2024 Could Be NiKo’s Last Chance
The stars seem aligned for NiKo and G2 at the PW Shanghai Major 2024. With a favorable bracket, a team in peak form, and proven success against their toughest competitors, this tournament represents his best opportunity in years to secure a Major victory.
But the stakes are higher than ever. With NiKo’s impending move to Falcons and the uncertainties of building a new team under a restructured CS2 circuit, the path to future Majors becomes far more complicated. Grinding through qualifiers and climbing the Valve Regional Standings will leave little room for error.
For NiKo, the Shanghai Major is not just another chance—it might truly be his last realistic shot at the Major trophy that has eluded him for so long. Whether he can finally overcome the ghosts of Boston and Stockholm remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on him as the tournament unfolds.
For more Counter-Strike news, click here!
