L’Équipe is an influential French sports magazine founded in 1946. The publication focuses primarily on football, cycling, and Formula 1, making an esports feature on the cover a true rarity. The previous precedent was in January 2025, when League of Legends player Caliste appeared on the cover. This move highlights the growing prestige of esports in France.
That’s why French esports athlete Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, considered one of the greatest players in Counter-Strike history, has become the face of L’Équipe’s latest cover. The issue, hitting newsstands on February 18, 2026, labels him “Le Boss de Counter-Strike” — the Boss of Counter-Strike.
As a reminder, B8 have been eliminated from the PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 tournament.