Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov has been named the DHL MVP at IEM Cologne Major 2026, capping off a tournament that ran from June 2 to June 21 and featured some of the best Counter-Strike 2 talent on the planet.
The award, handed out as part of the ESL Pro Tour, recognizes the single most impactful player across the entire event. For m0NESY, competing under the Team Falcons banner, it represents the culmination of years spent knocking on the door of esports’ biggest individual prizes.
A long time coming
This wasn’t m0NESY’s first brush with MVP-level recognition. He came agonizingly close to winning the honor at IEM Cologne back in 2023, falling just short in what was widely considered a tight race.
He picked up other MVP awards in 2025, establishing himself as one of the most decorated young players in the Counter-Strike scene. But the Cologne Major carries particular weight. It’s one of the premier stops on the competitive calendar, and its MVP award is among the most coveted individual accolades a player can earn.
