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Nikola Kovač, better known as NiKo, is a Bosnian professional Counter-Strike 2 player who plays for Team Falcons. NiKo is often cited by many professionals and analysts alike as one of the greatest Counter-Strike players of all time and the best rifler in the history of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.[2][3] He has been named a Top 20 Player Of The Year by HLTV nine times, tying dev1ce for the most top 20 player appearances in Counter-Strike history.[4] NiKo is widely considered as one of the most mechanically skilled players in Counter-Strike and has been in contention for the title of the best player in the world at multiple periods throughout his career. NiKo is also known to be the best professional CS player to have never won a major despite appearing in 15 of them.[5]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Nikola Kovač was born in Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina.[6] His parents were owners of an internet café where Nikola would play the earlier Counter Strike games with his cousin Nemanja aka "huNter-".[7][6]

Career

[edit]

2011

[edit]

NiKo began his playing career on Counter-Strike 1.6. His first professional team was FullProof. Other teams he played for included eu4ia, neWave, maksnet and DEFUSE.maksnet.

2012–2014

[edit]

His first Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team was iNation. He shuffled through myDGB, e-Sports.rs, Team Refuse, GamePub and aimface while taking breaks from iNation.

2015

[edit]

His impressive performance with iNation gained him notoriety throughout Europe. He would be signed by mousesports in March 2015. That led to a sensational rookie run where his team was often dubbed "Nikosports" due to his amazing individual performances, most notable of them being his desert eagle ace on Cache.[8]

2016

[edit]

NiKo stayed on mousesports for the entirety of 2016. During this time they won Acer Predator Masters Season 2 and were ranked 3-4th in ELEAGUE Season 1, ESL One: New York 2016 European Qualifier, ESL Pro League Season 4 - Europe and ESL Pro League Season 4 - Finals.

2017

[edit]

In February 2017, NiKo was acquired by FaZe Clan as they formed a star-player team. Kovač's first big tournament win was at StarLadder i-League StarSeries Season 3, followed by a winless period of five months with a near miss at Esports Championship Series Season 3. Following a re-shuffle of the FaZe roster, bringing in two of the highest rated players of 2015; Olof "olofmeister" Kajbjer Gustafsson and the star AWP player, Ladislav "GuardiaN" Kovács,[9][10] FaZe was rejuvenated and managed back-to-back flawless victories at ESL One: New York 2017 and ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier 2017. At ESL One: New York 2017, NiKo dropped 1.70 HLTV rating, a record that was only equaled by donk's legendary Katowice run in 2024.[11] Following this, the team went two months without a win before taking the Esports Championship Series Season 4 trophy over mousesports at the end of the year. He was ranked in #2 in the year end HLTV top 20 and had a rivalry with SK Gaming's coldzera throughout the year.

2018

[edit]

Faze Clan fell just short at the finals in ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, choking a 15-11 lead in map 3 to the home region team Cloud9. The Major finals is widely acknowledged as the best professional matches of CS:GO ever played by the community.[12][13] After choking another grand finals at IEM Katowice 2018 to Fnatic, FaZe entered another lull. However the team managed to take home Intel Extreme Masters XIII - Sydney with Richard "Xizt" Landström standing in for olofmeister, and the ESL One: Belo Horizonte 2018 event with Jørgen "cromen" Robertsen as a stand-in.

In October 2018, FaZe came first place in the EPICENTER 2018 event in Moscow, Russia, making this his seventh first-place victory at a premier event with FaZe Clan. NiKo was ranked No. 3 at the HLTV top 20, having been in contention for the title of best player of the year for the at the beginning but exited the race after his form cooled in the 2nd half.[14]

2019

[edit]

FaZe went through a number of in-game leaders (IGLs) during this time after the removal of karrigan last year, before settling on NiKo. By the end of 2019 Faze's trophy count had gone up to ten as they won BLAST Pro Series Copenhagen, but didn't finish top 4 at either major. Statistically, this was the worst year of NiKo's career thus far as he had to settle for 11th place on the HLTV top 20 list as a result of his IGL duties and he finished outside of the top 10 for the first time since 2016 in the HLTV top 20.

2020

[edit]

2020 marked another victory for FaZe and now IGL Kovač, as they won the European division of IEM New York 2020 Online over OG.[15] On October 28, 2020, after a three-and-a-half-year venture with FaZe Clan, Kovač was acquired by G2 Esports and was united with his cousin huNter.[16]

No longer an IGL, NiKo was back in his old form again this year and was ranked No. 4 in HLTV top 20.

2021

[edit]

NiKo led G2 to the grand finals of the PGL Major Stockholm 2021 but lost to a dominant Na'Vi team. The grand finals also featured the infamous NiKo whiff on s1mple at Nuke in map 2,[17] which ultimately Na'Vi won to lift the major trophy.

They had also been runner-up to the same Na'Vi team at Intel Extreme Masters XVI - Cologne earlier in the year. He went through a career best run in the second half of 2021 with CSGO's return to LAN, posting a consecutive 34 map 1+ rating streak, the highest of his career and of any top 20 players that year. He finished third in the HLTV top 20, behind ZywOo and S1mple.[18]

2022

[edit]

G2 signed a young prodigy Russian awper, m0nesy[19] leading G2 and Niko to a 2nd place at IEM Katowice.[20] NiKo's G2 fell 3-0 to FaZe Clan in the grand final, with FaZe forced to field jks as a substitute. The match featured the legendary Mirage map, extending to 58 rounds before FaZe clinched victory with a 31-27 scoreline.[21][22]

Soon the team's form dropped as Blast Premier Spring Finals and ESL Pro League Season 16 were their only top 4 finish till December 2022.[23] G2 did not qualify for the IEM Rio Major,[24] with Niko commenting that these times are his toughest months of his career but reassured that he will never give up.[25] NiKo and G2 bounced back and won the Blast Premier World Final 2022.[26] He finished 5th in the HLTV Top 20.[27]

2023

[edit]

On 12 February 2023, G2 won IEM Katowice 2023 undefeated, only suffering a loss on a single map to the hands of Heroic in the grand finals. This was NiKo's first win at IEM Katowice and having lost the previous three finals there in 2017, 2018, and 2022.

NiKo and G2 qualified for the 2023 Blast.tv Paris Major 2023 through the RMR into the Challengers stage, where they would qualify for Legends stage following a 3-0 run in the Challengers Stage. NiKo and G2 would go on to be eliminated in the Legends stage by Fnatic in a 1-2 elimination game, thus ensuring NiKo would never win a CSGO major.

G2 became the champions of IEM Cologne 2023, where NiKo earned his eighth MVP award.[28]

NiKo's exceptional numbers at the biggest events and against the best teams saw him place second on HLTV's Top 20 Players of the Year list, behind ZywOo.[29]

2024

[edit]

2024 began rough for NiKo, who suffered a dip in form compared to his CS:GO performance, averaging a 1.15 rating in the first half of the season in contrast to his usual 1.2+ performances.[30] However, NiKo exhibited more sublime form in the latter half of the season, which earned him the 4th place on HLTV's Top 20 Players of the Year list after another year of overall strong individual play. NiKo also set a new record for most consecutive appearances in the top 20 with 9 consecutive appearances.[31]

NiKo finished in the top 4 of the PGL Copenhagen major. He, however won IEM Dallas 2024 with a stand-in Stewie2K.[32] NiKo struggled against Na'Vi throughout the season, enduring nine consecutive losses before finally securing a victory at the BLAST Premier Fall Final.[33] G2 rebuilt the roster adding malbsMd and veteran Polish player, Snax, in place of the players, Hooxi and Nexa.[34] The revamped lineup went on to claim the BLAST Premier Fall Final 2024, defeating Team Vitality in the semifinals and Na'Vi in the grand finale. During the semifinal clash against Vitality, NiKo made headlines by smashing a hole in the table after failing to convert a 1v5 clutch attempt.[35] However, his struggles continued in the following tournament IEM Rio, where he posted a career-worst 0.51 HLTV rating and exited in 13th–16th place. Despite this setback, G2 rebounded strongly, winning the BLAST Premier World Final with a triumph over Team Spirit in the grand finale.[36] NiKo’s run with G2 ultimately ended in the semifinals of the Perfect World Shanghai Major, where he fell to FaZe Clan.[37]

2025

[edit]

On January 3, 2025, NiKo departed G2 and joined the Saudi organization Team Falcons, becoming a key part of their efforts to rebuild and assemble a star-studded roster.[38] On February 23 2025, NiKo won his 9th HLTV MVP[39] at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 despite losing the finals to MOUZ.[40]

On April 13th 2025, NiKo along with his team Falcons won their first trophy together in PGL Bucharest 2025, beating G2 Esports in the Final.[41] Soon, NiKo reunited with G2's star AWPer, m0NESY, in Team Falcons. With m0NESY and NiKo, Falcons immediately showed strong results, finishing second at IEM Melbourne after choking a 12-6 lead in map five (Nuke) to Team Vitality. They then competed at BLAST Rivals, where they once again fell to Team Vitality in a 3-2 series in the finals.[42]

Falcons however, where shockingly eliminated from Blast TV Austin Major in 20-22nd place after suffering shocking losses to B8, Lynn Vision and MIBR.[43]

Awards and recognition

[edit]
  • Was voted the 11th best player of 2016 by HLTV.[44]
  • Was voted the 2nd best player of 2017 by HLTV.[45]
  • Was voted the 3rd best player of 2018 by HLTV.[46]
  • Was voted the 11th best player of 2019 by HLTV.[47]
  • Was voted the 4th best player of 2020 by HLTV.[48]
  • Was voted the 3rd best player of 2021 by HLTV.[49]
  • Was voted the 5th best player of 2022 by HLTV.[27]
  • Was voted the 2nd best player of 2023 by HLTV.[50]
  • Was voted the 4th best player of 2024 by HLTV.[51]
  • Was voted the MVP of 9 different tournaments.[52]

Tournament Results

[edit]
Placement[53] Tournament Location Date
With FaZe Clan
2nd IEM Katowice 2017 Katowice, Poland March 1, 2017 – March 6, 2017
1st SL i-league StarSeries Season 3 Finals Kyiv, Ukraine April 4, 2017 - April 9, 2017
2nd IEM Sydney 2017 Sydney, Australia May 3, 2017 - May 7, 2017
2nd ECS Season 3 Finals London, United Kingdom June 23, 2017 - June 25, 2017
1st ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier 2017 Atlanta, United States September 8, 2017 - October 13, 2017
1st ESL One: New York 2017 New York, United States September 15, 2017 - September 17, 2017
2nd IEM Oakland 2017 Burbank and Oakland,

United States

November 14, 2017 - November 19, 2017
2nd ESL Pro League Season 6 Finals Odense, Denmark December 5, 2017 - December 10, 2017
1st ECS Season 4 Finals Cancun, Mexico December 15, 2017 - December 17, 2017
2nd ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018 Boston, United States January 12, 2018 – January 28, 2018
2nd IEM Katowice 2018 Katowice, Poland February 27, 2018 - March 4, 2018
1st IEM Sydney 2018 Sydney, Australia May 1, 2018 - May 6, 2018
1st ESL One Belo Horizonte 2018 Belo Horizonte, Brazil June 13, 2018 - June 17, 2018
1st EPICENTER 2018 Moscow, Russia October 23, 2018 – October 28, 2018
1st ELEAGUE CS:GO Invitational 2019 Atlanta, United States January 25, 2019 - January 27, 2019
With G2 Esports
2nd IEM Cologne 2021 Cologne, Germany July 6, 2021 - July 18, 2021
2nd PGL Major Stockholm 2021 Stockholm, Sweden October 26, 2021 - November 7, 2021
2nd IEM Katowice 2022 Katowice, Poland February 17, 2022 - February 27, 2022
1st Blast Premier World Final 2022 Abu Dhabi, UAE December 14, 2022 - December 18, 2022
1st IEM Katowice 2023 Katowice, Poland February 4, 2023 - February 12, 2023
1st IEM Cologne 2023 Cologne, Germany July 29, 2023 - August 6, 2023
1st IEM Dallas 2024 Dallas, United States May 27, 2024 - June 2, 2024
2nd Esports World Cup 2024 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia July 17, 2024 - July 21, 2024
1st Blast Premier Fall Final 2024 Copenhagen, Denmark September 25, 2024 - September 29, 2024
1st Blast Premier World Final 2024 Singapore October 30, 2024 - November 3, 2024
With Team Falcons
2nd PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 Cluj Napoca, Romania February 14, 2025 - February 23, 2025
1st PGL Bucharest 2025 Bucharest, Romania April 6, 2025 - April 13, 2025
2nd IEM Melbourne 2025 Melbourne, Australia April 21, 2025 - April 27, 2025
2nd BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 1 Copenhagen, Denmark April 30, 2025 - May 4, 2025

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

NiKo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Nikola Kovač, professionally known as NiKo, is a Bosnian professional player renowned for his exceptional rifling skills and consistency, currently competing for Team Falcons. Born on February 16, 1997, in , NiKo has established himself as one of the most accomplished players in history, amassing over $1.7 million in tournament earnings across 191 events. NiKo's career began in 2011 with regional teams such as FullProof, eu4ia, and neWave in 1.6 before transitioning to : Global Offensive. His breakthrough came in 2015 when he joined mousesports, where he quickly gained recognition for his mechanical prowess and contributed to several strong performances in international tournaments. In 2017, NiKo moved to , forming one of the most iconic lineups in CS:GO history and achieving runner-up finishes at the Major: 2018 and other high-profile events, though a Major victory eluded him during this period. He earned multiple MVP awards and secured his first Top 20 ranking that year, finishing second overall. From 2020 to 2024, NiKo played for G2 Esports, where he led the team to another Major runner-up position at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021 and consistently ranked among the world's elite, including third place in HLTV's 2021 list and second in 2023. In January 2025, he joined Team Falcons, aiming to chase further success in the evolving Counter-Strike 2 scene. Throughout his career, NiKo has been celebrated for his precise aim, particularly with the Desert Eagle, and his ability to perform under pressure, earning him spots in HLTV's Top 20 every year since 2016, with rankings as high as second in 2017 and 2023. Despite not winning a Major, his individual brilliance and team contributions have solidified his legacy as a top rifler in the esport.

Background

Early life

Nikola Kovač, professionally known as NiKo, was born on February 16, 1997, in , . He grew up in a modest environment in the northeastern town of , a region recovering from the impacts of the (1992–1995). His parents owned and operated a local , which became a central part of his early life and provided him with unrestricted access to computers and gaming at a young age. This family business not only served the community but also exposed Kovač to digital entertainment in an era when such resources were scarce in post-conflict . Kovač's cousin, Nemanja Kovač (professionally known as huNter-), was a significant influence during his upbringing, as the two frequently played video games together at the internet café. This familial connection fostered an early shared interest in gaming, particularly Counter-Strike, within the limited but resourceful setting of their family's establishment. Despite the socio-economic challenges of post-war Bosnia, including economic instability and restricted access to modern technology for many households, the internet café offered Kovač a pivotal entry point into the world of computers and interactive entertainment.

Introduction to Counter-Strike

Nikola "NiKo" Kovač was first exposed to 1.6 at around the age of nine in a family-owned in , where he spent time playing the game casually. This early access, facilitated by his family's involvement in the local internet business, allowed him to experiment with the game's mechanics in a social environment typical of early gaming culture in the region. As NiKo honed his basic skills, he frequently played alongside his cousin Nemanja "huNter-" Kovač and other local players at the café, fostering a competitive edge through informal matches and shared practice sessions. These experiences helped him develop foundational abilities in aiming, map knowledge, and teamwork, transitioning from casual play to more structured challenges by his early teens. In his early teens, NiKo began participating in local Bosnian tournaments and online matches, often held at LAN centers across the , where he competed against regional opponents and started gaining recognition for his talent. These events, typically small-scale but intense, provided opportunities to test his skills in real-time settings and build a reputation within the community. Around 2012, at the age of 15, NiKo shifted his focus to : Global Offensive (CS:GO) upon its release, drawn by its enhanced graphics, matchmaking features, and growing competitive scene that promised greater opportunities for aspiring players. He formed amateur teams with fellow Bosnian and European players, entering regional LAN events that spanned Bosnia and nearby countries, marking his evolution from a hobbyist to a dedicated competitor on the cusp of .

Professional career

Early years (2011–2014)

NiKo began his professional career in 2011 with the Bosnian team FullProof, competing primarily in regional Balkan tournaments on Counter-Strike 1.6. Later that year, he briefly joined eu4ia and neWave, before moving to maksnet and its affiliate DEFUSE.maksnet in late 2011 and early 2012, focusing on local qualifiers and smaller online events as he transitioned to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive mid-year. In 2012, NiKo joined iNation, an international squad that provided his first exposure to European qualifiers and events like the DEFUSE OPEN series, where his team achieved a third-place finish. He experienced multiple short stints with iNation through 2013, interspersed with teams such as myDGB.net and e-Sports.rs, competing in regional circuits that honed his skills amid the growing CS:GO scene. From 2013 to 2014, NiKo navigated frequent roster changes, including periods with Team Refuse and GamePub, while participating in qualifiers for events like EMS One and StarLadder StarSeries, securing modest placements such as third in the KGB CM Storm Volume 3 and StarLadder Season 8. These years were marked by instability due to constant team shuffles in the competitive European landscape, as well as challenges building a reputation as a young player from Bosnia in a predominantly English-speaking international environment. Throughout this period, NiKo's total earnings remained under $1,500, reflecting the low-stakes nature of his early competitions, with notable wins including first place at the BGF 2013 and CS:GO Calling. His standout performances, including early ace clutches in qualifiers, began attracting online attention through highlight reels shared on platforms like HLTV.org, signaling his emerging talent as a rifler.

mousesports (2015–2016)

In early 2015, at the age of 17, NiKo joined mousesports as a rifler, marking his entry into a more stable professional environment after stints with smaller teams. The organization quickly recognized his potential, making his move permanent shortly after an initial trial period, and fans began referring to the team as "Nikosports" due to his immediate impact on their results. Despite facing a language barrier as a Bosnian player in a predominantly German-speaking squad, NiKo adapted rapidly, contributing to solid mid-tier showings, including a notable Desert Eagle ace on Cache during DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca in October, where he secured a 1v3 clutch to help mousesports advance. His debut in the ESL Pro League came during Season 2 in mid-2015, where he showcased his rifling prowess alongside teammates like denis, helping the team secure competitive online placements. Throughout 2015, NiKo formed a strong partnership with denis, who had joined from PENTA Sports alongside Spinx and krimbo in May, creating a dynamic core under in-game leader chrisJ. However, the roster experienced early instability, with adjustments to integrate the young talent and address communication challenges. NiKo's performances elevated mousesports to consistent contention in European events, though the team struggled against top-tier opponents due to occasional lineup tweaks and his ongoing adaptation to professional demands. In 2016, NiKo's emergence as a top rifler solidified, with mousesports achieving a win at Acer Predator Masters Season 2 in February, defeating Flipsid3 Tactics in the grand final for the $20,000 top prize. The team followed with multiple strong finishes, including 4th place at Season 1 in —where NiKo earned an Event MVP nomination—and 3rd-4th at ESL One in July, though they exited groups at IEM and other majors. He maintained a consistent 1.15 LAN rating for the year (4th highest globally), often carrying the squad with high ADR and multi-kills, even as he assumed more in-game leadership duties following the departure of coach Kapio. Roster instability persisted, with krimbo's exit in leading to the addition of the HellRaisers trio (mou, rallen, cadiaN), which disrupted synergy but highlighted NiKo's reliability as the standout performer. During this period, NiKo made significant personal strides, overcoming initial hurdles by improving his English proficiency, which enhanced team communication and his integration. He also began streaming regularly on Twitch, building a growing fanbase drawn to his skillful play and personality, which boosted his visibility beyond competitions. By the end of , his earnings from mousesports events surpassed $50,000 for the year alone, reflecting his rising value in the scene.

FaZe Clan (2017–2020)

In January 2017, FaZe Clan signed Nikola "NiKo" Kovač from mousesports, creating one of the most formidable lineups in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive history alongside in-game leader Finn "karrigan" Andersen, Håvard "rain" Nygaard, Olof "olofmeister" Kajbjer, and Ladislav "GuardiaN" Kovács. The Bosnian rifler quickly integrated, contributing to FaZe's strong start with a runner-up finish at IEM Katowice 2017 in his debut major tournament appearance with the team. Throughout 2017, FaZe dominated several high-profile events under NiKo's influence, securing victories at StarLadder i-League StarSeries Season 3 after defeating 2-0 in the grand final, ESL One New York by overcoming 3-1, and ELEAGUE Premier with a 2-0 win over . NiKo's individual brilliance shone through, earning him multiple MVP and EVP awards across 16 tournaments that year, highlighting his role in elevating the team's aggressive playstyle. The squad also achieved their first Major top-four finish at Major Atlanta 2017, reaching the semifinals before falling to . FaZe's momentum carried into 2018, with NiKo anchoring rifling duties during wins at —stunning 3-0 in the grand final—ESL One after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over mousesports, and by defeating 2-1 in the final. Despite these triumphs, the team finished as runners-up at ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018, losing 2-1 to in the grand final after a dominant playoff run. NiKo's peak performances, including standout clutches and multi-kills, defined this era, as he ranked third globally for the year with consistent high-impact plays. By late 2018, internal shifts saw NiKo assume the in-game leader role starting after ESL One New York, replacing karrigan to inject fresh strategies into the squad. In 2019, this transition yielded a key victory at BLAST Pro Series Copenhagen, where FaZe defeated Ninjas in Pyjamas 2-0 in the final, with NiKo earning MVP honors for his 1.33 rating across seven maps. However, the added leadership responsibilities correlated with a statistical dip for NiKo, as he dropped to 11th in HLTV's global rankings amid team inconsistencies and roster adjustments like the addition of Filip "broky" Kung. The 2020 season, impacted by the , saw FaZe claim the IEM New York Europe online title with a 3-0 sweep over OG in the grand final, bolstered by NiKo's strong and the integration of stand-ins and new members like Markus "Kjaerbye" Kjærbye. Despite flashes of brilliance, mounting internal pressures and conflicts—stemming from leadership strains and roster instability—culminated in NiKo's departure in October 2020, ending his tenure after earning approximately $500,000 in with the organization. Throughout his time with FaZe, NiKo's highlight-reel aces and situations, such as multi-kill defenses and 1vX retakes, became emblematic of the "NiKo era," underscoring his status as one of the game's premier fraggers.

G2 Esports (2021–2024)

In October 2020, NiKo joined , reuniting with his longtime teammate huNter- to bolster the team's rifling core after a challenging period for the organization. This move marked a new chapter for NiKo, shifting from his dynamic role at to a more stable environment where he could leverage his experience alongside a mix of veterans and emerging talents. During 2021, NiKo's integration into proved highly effective, as the team achieved runner-up finishes at the PGL Major Stockholm and IEM , showcasing his pivotal contributions as the primary rifler with an average rating exceeding 1.25 in key . His consistent performance helped establish momentum, including a notable unbeaten run across multiple maps that highlighted the squad's tactical synergy under his influence. In 2022, continued its strong showings with NiKo at the helm, securing a runner-up position at and clinching the World Final title against in a decisive 2-0 victory. These results underscored NiKo's adaptability in high-stakes scenarios, though the team faced internal adjustments amid the evolving competitive landscape of CS:GO. His hybrid capabilities, blending rifling precision with occasional AWPer duties, became increasingly vital as navigated roster dynamics. The 2023 season brought further success for NiKo and , with victories at IEM Katowice—where the team went undefeated—and IEM , events in which NiKo earned MVP honors for his dominant ratings of 1.17 and 1.35, respectively. The transition to later that year presented mechanical challenges, including adjustments to movement and recoil patterns, but NiKo quickly adapted, maintaining his status as a top performer while mentoring younger players like m0NESY on positioning and decision-making. At the BLAST.tv Major, G2 reached the Legends Stage but finished 14th overall after a 1-3 record, reflecting the adaptation hurdles in the new engine. NiKo's tenure with G2 culminated in 2024 with triumphs at IEM Dallas, where he posted a 1.27 rating en route to the title, and the BLAST Premier Fall Final and World Final, solidifying G2's elite status in CS2. However, the team encountered difficulties at IEM Rio, exiting early in 13th-16th place amid coordination issues, with NiKo's rating dipping to 0.56 in a rare off-performance. Throughout his time at G2, NiKo served as the primary AWPer/rifler hybrid, guiding a roster that included in-game leader HooXi and prodigy m0NESY, while amassing approximately $881,000 in earnings with the organization.

Team Falcons (2025–present)

On January 3, 2025, NiKo signed with Team Falcons following his departure from , marking a high-profile transfer that concluded prolonged negotiations between the organizations. The move positioned NiKo as the cornerstone of ' rebuilt roster for the 2025 season, with reports indicating a substantial fee exceeding $1 million to secure his services. In the early months of 2025, NiKo and achieved notable success in major tournaments. They reached the runner-up position at PGL in February, falling to in the grand final after a competitive run that showcased NiKo's strong individual performances; NiKo was named MVP of the event. In April, claimed their first title of the year by winning PGL , defeating NiKo's former team 3-0 in the grand final; NiKo earned MVP honors. Later that month, the team finished as runners-up at IEM , losing a close 2-3 grand final to . By mid-2025, secured runners-up at BLAST Rivals Spring 2025 (Season 1), losing 2-3 to in the grand final, contributing to NiKo maintaining a rating above 1.15 in CS2 across these events. NiKo's integration into Team Falcons has emphasized synergy with key teammates, particularly the young Russian AWPer m0NESY, within an international roster comprising Danish rifler TeSeS, Macedonian in-game leader kyxsan, and Russian support kyousuke. This lineup has focused on building cohesion to qualify for Valve Majors, with the team prioritizing consistent performances in regional qualifiers and S-tier events leading into the late-2025 circuit. NiKo signed a reported three-year with , extending through 2027, providing stability as the team aims to secure its first Major victory together. In 2025, reached the final of BLAST Rivals Season 2 after defeating , continuing their strong form. As of 2025, remain in contention for the StarLadder Budapest Major, building on their strong seasonal trajectory to challenge top contenders.

Playing style and equipment

Playing style

Nikola "NiKo" Kovač is renowned as one of the premier riflers in history, primarily serving as an entry fragger with exceptional aim and first-shot accuracy that allows him to dominate duels from unconventional angles. His mechanical skill shines in aggressive peeks and weak-side engagements, where he frequently secures opening kills without relying heavily on , throwing fewer than 0.79 flashes per round on average. NiKo's ability is a hallmark of his style, exemplified by his proficiency in 1vX situations, such as the 1v5 he achieved in a 2020 Faceit Pro League match against opponents, showcasing his composure under pressure. Throughout his career, NiKo's playing style has evolved from a pure aggressive rifler during his time with mousesports, where he operated as a lone wolf fragger emphasizing individual power, to a more versatile hybrid role in starting in 2021. This shift involved experimenting with AWP usage alongside rifling duties after the benching of , allowing him to contribute to sniping while maintaining his entry-fragging core. By 2023, he described himself as the "most complete player" in his career, adopting a calmer approach when leading in rounds to reduce unnecessary deaths and improve consistency, as seen in his reduced deaths-per-round metrics at events like IEM . In the transition to , NiKo adapted to the game's refined movement mechanics and recoil patterns, refining his precise micro-adjustments to maintain high accuracy in fast-paced duels despite the updated engine. NiKo's style draws frequent comparisons to Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev for their shared elite-level aim and fragging prowess, though NiKo is noted for a more team-oriented execution, prioritizing calculated aggression over pure individualism. Signature moments, such as his 2015 Deagle ace on Cache while with mousesports—where he eliminated five opponents in rapid succession from mid—highlight his flair for highlight-reel plays that blend precision and boldness. However, his occasional over-aggression has led to risky deaths in high-stakes scenarios, and his 2019 experiment as in-game leader for underscored limitations in tactical decision-making, prompting him to relinquish the role in favor of focusing on fragging as a secondary caller.

Equipment and settings

NiKo's current mouse is the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro, which he adopted following his endorsement deal with Razer in April 2025. He configures it at 800 DPI with an in-game sensitivity of 0.7, resulting in an eDPI of 560, and a polling rate of 1000 Hz. His monitor is the BenQ ZOWIE XL2586X+, a 540 Hz model optimized for competitive play with settings including DyAc Premium enabled, Black eQualizer at 13, Color Vibrance at 14, brightness at 85, contrast at 50, sharpness at 9, and gamma at 3. For peripherals, NiKo uses the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL keyboard, aligning with his Razer sponsorship. In , NiKo employs a classic static crosshair for consistency, with the code CSGO-EvvTA-D6U88-mXTHk-acm3G-bkMHA; he has adjusted its visibility parameters, such as gap at -4 and outline enabled, to better suit CS2's rendering compared to CS:GO. His graphics settings prioritize performance over visuals, running at a low preset with 1024x768 resolution in a 4:3 stretched , Reflex enabled plus boost, and a maximum FPS cap of 999 to minimize input lag. He pairs this with an RTX 5090 GPU in his setup, which includes an 9950X3D CPU. Over his career, NiKo's has evolved significantly. In his early years around with mousesports, he relied on more basic, low-end setups without major endorsements, such as generic mice and monitors under 144 Hz. By 2017 during his tenure, he transitioned to high-end gear, including the G Pro X Superlight mouse at 400 DPI and 1.5 sensitivity, the G Pro keyboard, and a ZOWIE XL2546K 240 Hz monitor, under 's sponsorship. This association persisted through his period until early 2025, when he switched to Razer products for enhanced precision and customization, reflecting his input on product development.

Awards and achievements

HLTV rankings

NiKo first entered 's annual Top 20 players ranking in 2016, marking the beginning of a sustained period of elite recognition that has defined much of his professional career. In 2016, NiKo finished 11th in his debut appearance on the list, earning acclaim for his breakout performances with mousesports after joining the team mid-year and showcasing exceptional ability in international tournaments. His ascent continued in 2017, where he achieved a career-high second place, driven by FaZe Clan's dominant run through the year, including multiple S-tier event victories, and NiKo's consistent high-impact fragging on the international stage. The following year, 2018, saw NiKo maintain podium form at third, bolstered by FaZe's consistent deep runs in majors and elite events, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the ELEAGUE Boston Major and his reliable statistical output across high-stakes matches. A dip occurred in 2019, with NiKo placing 11th amid FaZe's transitional challenges, as he experimented with in-game responsibilities that temporarily affected and his individual peaks. Rebounding in 2020, he secured fourth position, fueled by a strong early-year surge with FaZe and standout showings in online events during the pandemic era, culminating in his mid-October transfer to where he immediately impressed in qualifiers. NiKo returned to the top three in 2021 at third, propelled by 's remarkable mid-year win streak across European circuits and appearances in major finals, underpinned by his elevated consistency and contributions. In 2022, he held steady at fifth, delivering reliable excellence for in a competitive landscape marked by roster adjustments and the evolving CS:GO meta. NiKo tied his personal best in 2023 by finishing second, highlighted by G2's double triumphs at and , where his exceptional ratings against top opposition underscored his dominance in key events. Closing out the CS2 transition year, 2024 brought another fourth-place finish, powered by pivotal roles in successes with before his late-year move to Team Falcons, extending his streak of top-tier rankings. Overall, NiKo has placed in the top five in seven of the nine years from 2016 to 2024, a testament to his that culminated in breaking the record for most consecutive Top 20 appearances in 2024.

MVP awards

Nikola "NiKo" Kovač has earned nine MVP awards throughout his career, recognizing his standout individual performances at major tournaments where he significantly contributed to his team's success. selects MVPs based on a holistic evaluation of statistics, including rating, kill/death ratio, impact in key rounds, and overall influence on match outcomes, often prioritizing players who elevate their team in high-stakes scenarios. These awards underscore NiKo's consistency as one of the premier riflers in the game, with his nine medals tying him for among the highest totals for active players as of 2025. NiKo's MVP accolades span multiple teams and eras of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Counter-Strike 2, beginning with his breakout year in 2017 during his time with FaZe Clan. His first award came at SL i-League StarSeries Season 3 Finals in April 2017, where he averaged a 1.24 rating over eight maps, leading FaZe to victory with clutch plays in the grand final against Virtus.pro. Later that year, at ESL One New York in September, NiKo secured his second MVP with a tournament-high 1.70 rating across seven maps, including a dominant 1.74 rating in the final against Cloud9, where he topped charts in kills, survival rate, and multi-kills. These early honors highlighted his aggressive rifling style and ability to perform under pressure. In 2018, NiKo added two more MVPs with FaZe, starting with ESL One in June, where he posted a 1.39 rating over 12 maps and was instrumental in overtime wins, earning the award for his 1.28 rating in the decisive grand final against mousesports. He followed this with in October, achieving a 1.25 rating and outdueling in the final (1.48 rating) to help FaZe defeat . The 2019 BLAST Pro Series events in (April) and (November) yielded two additional MVPs, both with 1.20+ ratings, showcasing his adaptability in invite-only formats against elite competition. NiKo's MVP streak continued into the online-heavy 2020 period with IEM New York Online: in , where he led FaZe to the title with a 1.22 rating, excelling in a field disrupted by the . After a hiatus from such honors, he reclaimed one at IEM 2023 with in August, averaging a 1.35 rating over 14 maps and delivering clutch performances in the playoffs, including key multi-kills in the grand final against ENCE to secure his eighth career MVP. His ninth MVP came post-transfer to Team Falcons at PGL 2025 in , marking a highlight in his new roster as he edged out a tight race with a 1.28 rating, despite Falcons falling short in the final against ; this performance reaffirmed his impact in high-pressure international events.
YearEventTeamRating
2017SL i-League StarSeries Season 3 Finals1.24
2017ESL One New York1.70
2018ESL One 1.39
20181.25
2019 Miami1.21
2019 Copenhagen1.23
2020IEM New York Online: 1.22
2023IEM Cologne1.35
2025PGL Team Falcons1.28

Major tournament results

NiKo has participated in 15 Majors since joining the professional scene, with his highest placements being third-fourth at the ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018 and , though he has yet to win one. He has also excelled in other S-tier events, securing multiple victories with , including back-to-back titles in and in 2023. His career tournament earnings stand at $1,752,160 as of November 2025.

CS Majors

YearEventDateTeamPlacementNiKo's Rating
2018ELEAGUE Major: BostonJanuary 12–28FaZe Clan3rd–4th1.24
2021PGL Major: StockholmOctober 26 – November 7G2 Esports3rd–4th1.18
2022PGL Major: AntwerpMay 9–22G2 Esports5th–8th1.12
2023BLAST.tv Paris MajorMay 8–21G2 Esports12th–14th1.05
2024PGL Major: CopenhagenMarch 17–31G2 Esports3rd–4th1.04
2024Perfect World Shanghai MajorDecember 1–15G2 Esports3rd–4th1.26
2025BLAST.tv Austin MajorJune 3–22Team Falcons12th–14th0.98

Other S-Tier Events (Selected)

YearEventDateTeamPlacementNiKo's Rating
2017July 20–231st1.35
2017ECS Season 4 FinalsNovember 30 – December 31st1.28
2018EPICENTER 2018October 18–211st1.22
2022December 13–181st1.20
2023IEM January 31 – February 121st1.26
2023IEM CologneJuly 23 – August 61st1.30
2024December 12–221st1.25
2025IEM April 1–132nd1.16
2025IEM DallasMay 19–253rd–4th1.14

References

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  78. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDU5hXtnano
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  87. https://www.hltv.org/news/35367/top-20-players-of-2022-niko-5
  88. https://www.hltv.org/news/37952/top-20-players-of-2023-niko-2
  89. https://liquipedia.net/counterstrike/HLTV/MVP_Awards
  90. https://www.hltv.org/news/36833/niko-named-mvp-of-iem-cologne
  91. https://www.hltv.org/news/20253/video-niko-mvp-of-starseries-s3
  92. https://www.hltv.org/news/21531/niko-wins-esl-one-ny-mvp-award
  93. https://www.hltv.org/news/23991/niko-claims-esl-one-belo-horizonte-mvp-award
  94. https://www.hltv.org/news/25207/niko-claims-epicenter-mvp-award
  95. https://www.hltv.org/news/22664/eleague-major-the-evps
  96. https://www.hltv.org/stats/players/events/3741/niko
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