How a "Tier 2 BOT" Became a Major MVP

We all know who the CS:GO greats are.
But with the arrival of CS2, new names are taking over the scene.
And one, major-winning name, is perhaps the most surprising of all: Justinas "jL" Lekavičius is one of the lowest-rated MVPs in CS history.
So, how did jL manage to snag Counter-Strike's most prestigious award at CS2’s very first Major despite being…on paper…not great?
What’s the deal with him and Aleksib?
And most importantly, where did this dude even come from?
Written by: Alina Sotula (@ASotula)
Hosted by: Dimitri Pascaluta (@ DPascaluta)
Edited by: Andrew Faigal (@Brrrning)
Thumbnail by: Emmanuel Adarkwah
Videographer: Matt Massey (IG: @matthewjmassey)
Produced by: Alina Sotula and Jason Durante (@jayjaydurante)
Footage credits: pastebin.com/0...
Music used under license from Associated Production Music LLC (”APM”).
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[@jLcs2]

Thank you, it was a pleasure to watch ❤

[@OwenNZ]

no u

[@marcelpfeiffer]

Damn, one of my fav players

[@TegredyFarms]

Jlegend

[@WillyInAMood]

Siuuuuuuuu !!!

[@qwerdf12]

Dawg you're the jewel for cs2.

[@LesageSinging]

He won the rounds that won the game.

[@thatonerandomguy7937]

jL gives me the same vibes Old man Pasha did, good player, great teammate but a super person to have around

[@xxfloppypillowxx]

Imagine having such a good personality that you not only win a major but are the MVP of the entire thing. I mean his stats aren't the best but the fact that he has those stats while playing against the best in the world automatically makes him butter than most in the world.

[@frquncy]

thx for repeating what the video already tells u

[@xxfloppypillowxx]

@@frquncy And what exactly did your comment add? Exactly. Nothing. Now sit down and shut up.

[@a1m..]

his stats in the major were good tho lol, dude was locked in when he needed to the most

[@thecipher8495]

@@a1m.. But compared to the other players it wasn't, it's only comparison though stats don't matter that much.

[@lambdastorm7787]

You rarely see a personality like jl in any eSports scene. Dudes literally the most likeable and outgoing guy.

[@firefistt_xdd1539]

that ace in ancient saved them in the semis

[@nicky4092]

a really major defining play

[@KIEVL0ND0N]

yes!

[@devs3720]

yeah his coc was too much for them that match

[@homerisLT]

I was cheering for Navi the whole turnament. It was great, when I walked to my local shop, in Klaipėda, wearing a Navi hoodie and random stranger noticed it, we both were like: Lets go Justinai! Great feeling.

[@thushakosty]

I know right. The last map against Faze, I was yelling "Fck them Valera. Fck them jL...." whenever they won a round. Been waiting too long since that Cologne 2022. 😆

[@loderteches7321]

​@@thushakostynavi fans dont even know which tournament did they win 😂

[@thushakosty]

@@loderteches7321 I meant my vibes watching. Cologne 2022 grand final vibe was crazy. Esl Pro League ss18 was heart breaking.

[@ingtelcuy5462]

hype player like him is soooo underrated in counter strike. people only care about rating when sometimes comms and good mental are as important in winning matches

[@9hgff9]

Rooting for him is truly such a "breath of fresh air". He doesn't take himself too seriously, and overall really wholesome. Makes you appreciate the sport in a better way. Truly JLegend

[@98-carlmarkmarak22]

s1mple left jL:fine , I’ll do it myself

[@lethanhlongcao5424]

i met this dude back in cologne last month, the day right after the iem ended. He was casually cruising around the city and i was so lucky to come across him on the street. Me and my friends took a photo together, he was so friendly

[@joe9893]

The real MVP: his girlfriend.

[@Indiand0ta]

Underrated Comment

[@FYEAHHH]

Frr

[@Timlin22]

Ever since watching him with MAD Lions you could tell he had potential to be more. Seems like a nice guy too, has interacted well with several fans on socials before

[@Colapso]

I need to say this, GOATED girlfriend dude, he got himself a keeper someone who gives that little push, that little extra confidence when not even you fully trust yourself. And ofc his talent she saw it and she always believed in him, wholesome.

[@thushakosty]

Dude was insane in the major. His impact was huge. Agile, clutch, perform under pressure.

[@mefiuspeedzik7915]

His personality reminds me of Pasha in good old days like 2014-16. Same positivity and energy

[@Nerbss]

jL seems like a great guy with infectious happiness. I hope he continues to do well.

[@AliMohamed-fu5lc]

8:05 that contract is exactly what i would expect lol

[@FRIXER753]

I love how everything goes around simple, even the payment LMAO

[@Leon-mn8eo]

ngl one of the better videos ive watched. this guy really is just a ray of sun shine and i love that for him.

[@paveljonis1970]

This video aged like fine wine. Especially after NAVI went on to 6 straight finals and jL is playing really really well. The whole team is awesome and it is domination by committee, agreed. It's just that jL really delivered after he was written off as a one tim wonder e after the Copenhagen Major.

[@jorojukka00]

i have been waiting episode about jL, thank you :D

[@6z0]

I’d say Navis results since the major have been pretty good, they won the EWC tournament and just came in second place in IEM Cologne

[@NaXXG69]

How JL is for NaVi is how Zellsis is for Sentinels. Both guys are the best to lit up the team's moral with their presence, which most teams lack.

[@kivori3438]

Pgl stockholm navi run was one of the definition of “good teamplay beats stars” and i will always say that. Even if you are zywoo or simple if you dont have teamplay you are doomed to fail in the big situations

[@mikelloydx33]

Since I first watched JL instantly my favourite cs player of all time. Dude is so down to earth and makes me laugh. Jenuine Legend

[@StarAlso]

Who is here after his amazing performance on Shanghai Major?

[@alienxthemostpowerfulficti2888]

The title seems Accurate and holding grudge at the same time😂

[@thecipher8495]

Not really, they are just emphasizing the doubt viewers had about jL and how he proved them wrong.

[@VodsDoWEnzona]

6:57 that comeback of apeks made me shiver, what a major

[@OrbitalVibes]

Maaan, jL is such a vibe and watching him brings back the good old Pasha Biceps positivity that CS is missing! 🙌

[@chalke37]

That SteelSeries interview was great, so many good clips from that both emotional and funny

[@Dg_leitee]

0:19 Esports fans will be like: Yeah thats my goat

[@d4vidwya]

Donk or Mznho

[@Dg_leitee]

​@@d4vidwya both💀💀

[@GamerREVmarcius]

As a lithuanian, proud of him! 💛💚❤ JLEGEND!

[@homerisLT]

LTU CS representation!

[@Xealous]

holy crap as a sydney sider, recognizing the background in teh shots was amazing

[@M0nkeyman]

I feel so sad for Navi and jL see the bois being sad but only 1 team can win but see a grown jL cry got me some tears too tbh.. :)

[@felippe3660]

New MVP idea: Mental support

[@r3ckon]

that money 4k was insane 😭

[@NickMineboom]

They just won the EWC

[@jaisinghkushwah862]

wow...they have released this video before the majors ...

[@potato.1593]

his bubbly personality is so fun to watch in pro scene 😂

[@tRPlaysGamez]

Love the story you build every video

[@maxwilledit]

Love to see this! Looks like a really cool guy I wish him the best

[@swften]

10:05 jL is right, all people do is go onto hltv and scream at IGL's in particular for not having the best performances consistently

[@tonitaipalus8722]

Love the fact that people are still salty

[@jenricvillanueva4533]

hahahaha yeah only G2 fans cant move on

[@MatadorTheGreat]

@@jenricvillanueva4533 This aged well again

[@tonitaipalus8722]

​@@MatadorTheGreatlol yes

[@shanksleroux1069]

JL, love u bro, background, so down to earth love itt! U seem like a really nice guy and positive, I was touched. Wish u all the best

[@kheldaur2107]

JL is amazing, fun guy to watch for sure and one of the best in CS2

[@LifeofCZR]

This hits different after IEM Rio a few days ago

[@aegiltech]

Crazy to think jL is in contention for Player of the Year after what everyone thought of him only 6 months ago. Also, that transfer through a wall on Ancient, just ban the guy already >

[@sulovekaji7262]

15:25 me watching this after Na'Vi won the ESports World Cup 😂😂

[@liam-_-7870]

Fr

[@Dancyspartan]

me watching this after EPL S20 & IEM Rio, +2 GFs in Cologne & Blast Fall

[@xot1x234]

Proud to say I had Navi winning the whole thing for my pick ems, but furia screwed me in groups😢

[@bIeaq]

jl just seems like a spicier jackz. just a great glue guy

[@amircastro2859]

I can't describe how much I love this tumbnail omg >3

[@Rytees]

I am not a fking gamer,but I just watched first podcast with jL and now this video just adds everything explaining great to the story, thank you.

[@CoffeeNo0b0514]

"NaVi's results since the Major haven't exactly been stellar" is a comment that didn't age well. Lol

[@Klipik12]

The bots are out in force I guess

[@LeominsterFC]

How can you say a 1.22 isn’t impactful? He was the 6th highest rated player at the major with almost double the maps played of those ahead of him and is 10th at big events across the last six months. Sure it wasn’t s1mple zywoo 1.4+ levels, but 1.2 is solid especially given his final vs Faze where he destroyed them.

[@CHA1RMANsmoug]

Seems like a great role model too the team 🎉 And a beast in the game

[@assaultnightwing509]

Finally!! A video that is giving Lithuania some recognition!!

[@JackSparrowTheCAPTAIN]

s1mple the CS:GO legend! He benched himself to give a chance to NAVI for the Copenhagen Major! True legend!

[@TheDJNaruto]

He is just lurking.

[@賴君瑋-t3n]

great personality, congratz

[@jackbukraba3206]

It’s the same type of player Stewie was and he won a lot of accolades cuz of it. And it cemented as one of the greats of go. Hopefully JL will be for cs2.

[@KnightKeeper]

Another major, another mvp

[@gus_06]

happy that a fellow lithuanian got a fricking cs MVP award

[@DudeLoreVideo]

This guy is a beast. I haven't heard anyone talking down about him. Get out of those negative circles bro

[@krazahdia]

Whoops, the same bromance vibes with n0tail and Fly from Dota 2. Hope it doesn't end like it. 😂

[@leb5550]

Why tf are there so many monesy highlights in a jL video

[@hypeman6240]

glazing

[@edyslavico3761]

monesy the new s1mple... but yeah they could have showed more jl clutches because he had many in the major

[@altair1337]

People don't understand, he's closer to s1mple than the people critizing are to him

[@LowResgamer69]

Zellsis of Csgo

[@BloodMantra]

He is the proof that skill isn't just enough. IT'S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE! jLEGEND

[@NicholasEllis-rs3nx]

Tarik says Hi!

[@kami7090]

Such a great video!!

[@giff74]

Love a good underdog story!!!

[@Gluten-free-hugs]

Can anyone tell me the song used at 6:50 😬

[@Devilwalkerinho]

It reminds me of Young Zeus, Motivating and being hilarious and funny as fuck

[@szymonszefler4071]

i dont see the bot being mentioned at all in whole vid. was hoping to see a bot..

[@zayankhan7842]

Idk why but jL have that pashabiceps feeling

[@themightypotato3857]

love the guy. really fun and nice guy.

[@kroooassant9899]

oh yes he's on fire this guy I watch Rio matches recently he's lit.

[@Cgwi]

You’re damn right jL

[@pylewastaken]

here after NAVI won the EWC 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ohneilgang9469]

Somehow I saw the brackets at the end of the RMR and I thought, If JL activates, NAVI can win this. And low and behold, it happened! It was meant to be

[@jovpal5685]

"Least Impactful" yeah sure if we go by the RATING but have you seen the actual GAMES? The Man was a beast on that Tournament

[@Mantaz]

jLegend 🔥

[@ammar5107]

Idk about mvp but his plays are fun to watch

[@SpeakerstoHorizon]

a humble guy

[@Felale]

He went back to tier 2 bot in Shanghai

[@lockz.cs0]

Esl pro league, blast, major, iem rio is nothing to you?? You're tier 2 bot🤣. Give some respect lil bro

[@raaaaaaaaaals]

Bait used to be believable.

[@lockz.cs0]

@@raaaaaaaaaals tf you mean "bait"🤣

[@dmitrishostakovich5826]

bad bait felale

[@ashsequeira7126]

@@lockz.cs0 stop baiting..

[@mirai2967]

jL reminds me of Zeus when he was playing

[@lockz.cs0]

If some of you here after the shanghai major and tell's about jL. You're cooked and next year spirit is cooked as well

[@Jason-jb1vs]

ronaldo fan + watch anime + jl fan + spirit hater, I know too much of your kinds lil bro, you cried two jars full of tears when navi got ass beaten by spirit and later spirit won the major, you probably even hate shanghai crowd

[@slov1ker583]

The monesy clip was so random?

[@nicopogchamp2551]

The most positive player in CS

[@JOOKST3R]

they also just won the esports world cup lol

[@colorlessvorak]

wait mimi cast cs as well?

[@ganjatree]

W gf man, I fricking love jL the guy is charismatic and has a great personality and fanbase.

[@kalmer5410]

LEGEND!

[@Onslaaught2]

We love jL 🫶🏻

[@dfix4215]

If bymas didnt do it, jL does it

[@youngfl0rk387]

4 time cs 1.6 major winner dude ! :D

[@aryank3014]

Nowadays theScore guys just need an excuse to put a monesy clip 😂😂😂😂

[@LiquidFrauds]

This man is a fucking legend!

[@trackz2cold]

ok that guy at 12:50 talks complete bs

[@lim3ymuch]

Still wondering why navi gets so much hate than G2 And seems like people forget the old word "miracle run" in the cs world Not defending but why so much hate for 1 team and soo much hate for 1 retired player (which is simple)

[@vecislt]

If you are good and you like to troll also be sometimes bit toxic people will hate you. Look at donk. He trolled a bit, was loud. People hate him. It's natural.

[@electronicscompany9068]

Excuse me?? "Navi gets so much hate than G2" Which world are you living in? No matter what G2 Won (World Final, Katowice, Cologne, Dallas) People will still shit on G2, saying all their tourney win was just a fluke Not to mention the latest transfer of Snax just make the forum full crazy hate and hope that the team will fail.

[@edyslavico3761]

@@electronicscompany9068 yeah I am no G2 fan, but the Snax move isn't as stupid as people say. "Oh but the roles clash" The players can figure that out no problem.

[@electronicscompany9068]

@@edyslavico3761 Honestly G2 Snax wasn't exactly in my bingo card, the fact that there wasn't any rumour or leaks about it before really make that such a shocking move.

[@lim3ymuch]

@@electronicscompany9068 take a look at recent live streams before G2 lost but just gets L on less Navi lost againts some teams and got L on harder than a guy breaking the basketball hoop glass

[@galoriin5538]

top 5 player in the world what a goat