“They chose me when other teams suspected me to be a cheater” – ZywOo on Extending With Team Vitality
Vitality AWPer Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut has extended his contract with the esports organization through 2028, solidifying his long-term future with the legendary Counter-Strike team. The extension was announced following ZywOo’s exceptional performance at the Esports World Cup 2026, where he demonstrated the elite skill that has made him one of the most respected players in competitive Counter-Strike.
ZywOo’s renewed commitment comes alongside the contract extension of Vitality In-Game Leader Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire, ensuring the pair’s historic collaboration will continue for at least another three years. The extended partnership means ZywOo and apEX will have worked together for approximately a decade, a remarkable tenure in professional esports where roster changes are frequent.
In an interview following his dominant performance against FaZe, ZywOo expressed his gratitude and loyalty to Vitality, emphasizing the organization’s role in his professional development. He highlighted that Vitality demonstrated confidence in him when he was younger and relatively unknown, a decision that proved invaluable. Notably, ZywOo revealed that other teams harbored suspicions about his gameplay abilities during his early career. Rather than dismissing him, Vitality stood by the young talent, ultimately vindicated by his evolution into one of esports’ premier players.
This contract extension underscores Vitality’s commitment to maintaining its core roster and competitive strength in professional Counter-Strike. The longevity of ZywOo and apEX’s partnership represents one of the most successful and stable relationships in esports.