During ESL Pro League Season 24, we spoke with Vitality captain apEX. The French veteran talked about his eight-year history with the club, the team’s future, and a potential replacement for ZywOo if he ever switches to a rifler role.
apEX also commented on the situation with BC.Game, who took advantage of the opportunity to qualify for the Major through the Asian region, as well as discussing impending fatherhood, jL playing at PGL Bucharest, and his possible plans after ending his own playing career.
The full interview with apEX is now available on YouTube!
After winning StarLadder, do you feel that Vitality are once again contenders for tournament victories?
Were we ever not? I don’t understand. Of course. We have always been contenders for tournament victories.
Maybe you didn’t know, or maybe you did, but today marks exactly eight years since you started playing for Vitality. You said that you want to finish your career in a Vitality jersey. But is there anything that could make you consider moving to another team?
If they bench me tomorrow, maybe I will. But otherwise — no. Even when things aren’t going very well, I stay with Vitality.
You can have offers, or rather, not direct offers, but you understand that you could move to other teams and so on. But no, I’ve never thought about it. I’ve always wanted to stay at Vitality.
Is there any AWPer you would like to bring to Vitality to replace ZywOo if he decided to switch to a rifler role?
The answer is simple — m0NESY.
What do you think about using the Asian region to qualify for the Major, as BC.Game, Sashi and WW are doing, when it suddenly turns out that one of the players has dual citizenship?
I’m not going to comment on the situation with Sashi, but regarding BC.Game — they simply took advantage of something that is completely legitimate. They didn’t do anything wrong.
It’s kind of a loophole in the rules, and they used it. So well played from their side. If it helps them qualify for the Major — GG.
What do you think about the fact that you are expecting a child? Does that motivate you even more to win on the server?
It doesn’t motivate me even more yet, but it’s a little strange because I could leave this tournament at any moment.
Sometimes it’s hard to focus and be sure that my partner is feeling well at home. I want her, if possible, to make it until the end of the tournament.
But one thing is certain: child or no child, I always want to win even more. And I hope I can do it.
Do you think jL will be a good replacement for you?
Maybe, maybe not — I don’t know. I hope he plays well.
I think we’ve almost guaranteed ourselves a spot in the third stage of the Major, so that’s good. But I hope they perform well because it’s important.
And one more question about jL. At PGL Bucharest, jL will replace you, and if he plays five matches, you won’t receive stickers for the Major in Singapore. What do you think about that?
Shit happens.
And the next question. Considering all the hype around FalleN’s retirement, tell us who you would like to become after ending your own playing career. Would you like to become a coach, an analyst, or perhaps leave esports completely?
I don’t know. I’m not going to say anything because I have no idea myself.
For me, retirement has to be more than two years away, since I signed a new contract until the end of 2028.
So right now, for me, everything is simple: play Counter-Strike and give it my all. And after that, I don’t know whether I’ll become a coach or do something else. We’ll see.
And the final question: who do you think is better at trash-talking — you or karrigan?
Me. Sorry karrigan.
Eight years at Vitality, a contract until the end of 2028, impending fatherhood, and a desire to continue fighting for the biggest trophies — it seems that apEX has no plans to leave the scene anytime soon.
The French captain continues to play for Vitality and already has a clear idea of who could replace ZywOo in the AWPer role. And while apEX remains on the server, he plans to keep doing what he does best — play Counter-Strike and give it his all.
As a reminder: Missed playoffs, but strong Major chances — Aleksib summarized NAVI's performance.
