NAVI Academy’s Rise, Makazze Promotion & FUT Move

In less than a year, NAVI’s academy unit transformed from an experimental junior setup into one of the most promising CS2 outfits. Much like the rapid growth seen in emerging sectors such as non Gamstop casinos, their shift to FUT Esports and the promotion of makazze to NAVI’s main roster mark pivotal points in their development. This story explores how NAVI Academy’s young talents drove their way into the global spotlight, why FUT snapped them up, and how the makazze elevation signals NAVI’s next major strategic decision.

Building NAVI Academy

NAVI Academy, previously called NAVI Junior, officially launched in May 2024. It was built around a core group of young players — dem0n, cmtry, Krabeni, dziugss — and led by coach coolio. From the outset, the aim was simple: cultivate raw talent under NAVI’s guidance and hand over future stars to the main roster.

Riding a wave of esports growth, what followed was extraordinary. They entered several Tier‑2 tournaments and consistently beat teams that had already qualified for Regional Major Rankings events. Within months they climbed into Valve’s top‑30 world ranking for teams, gaining both prestige and direct qualification rights for major qualifiers. During 2025, this academy lineup won multiple online series — including the CCT events and Thunderpick qualifiers—and their crowning achievement came when they claimed first place at YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025, defeating several RMR‑level squads. In total, the group earned well over $200,000 in prize money and steadily improved their statistical metrics — entry kills, first‑half dominance, clutch conversions — all guided by coolio’s tactical approach.

These results did more than prove their skill—they showed strong team cohesion and mature decision‑making under pressure. They began to look less like an academy side and more like a self‑contained challenger capable of stepping into bigger stages.

On 30 June 2025, NAVI announced the makazze promotion to the main CS2 roster. At just 18, makazze delivered an impressive 1.19 rating over his last twelve months in Junior, ranking among the organization’s best performers. His aggressive style, high opening frag totals, and ability to create space made him an ideal fit to replace or shuffle with Mihai “iM” Ivan on the main team’s T‑side strategy.

NAVI did not reveal exactly who makazze replaced, but the move made sense: it refreshed their firepower while rewarding homegrown talent. In official messages, NAVI acknowledged that structural limits prevented two teams under the same brand from progressing together in Valve’s ecosystem, prompting makazze’s shift and the decision to offer the rest of the team for transfer.

For makazze, the promotion signals NAVI’s confidence in his ability to handle Tier‑1 pressure. For the rest of the academy squad, it opened a pathway to join other organisations, while NAVI moves on to rebuild the academy with fresh prospects.

FUT Esports Grabs the NAVI Core

Almost simultaneously with makazze’s promotion, FUT Esports, a Turkish multi‑title organisation, formalised a transfer of NAVI’s remaining academy roster—including dem0n, cmtry, Krabeni, dziugss and coach coolio. FUT also retained manager Garrixer and brought in Kévin “misutaaa” Rabier as the final piece to round out the quintet.

Founded in 2016, FUT has teams across VALORANT, PUBG Mobile and other titles. In CS2 they originally fielded a French‑speaking squad led by JACKZ and Nivera, but lacking consistent results they pivoted mid‑2025 to NAVI’s well‑functioning academy core. FUT acquired not only players, but also a Valve ranking slot, meaning automatic eligibility for major qualifiers and building on NAVI Academy’s progress without delay.

The new FUT roster reads:

– dem0n (Dmytro Myroshnychenko): high tempo entry fragging

– cmtry (Nikita Samolotov): clutch‑minded rifler and stabiliser

– Krabeni (Aulon Fazlija): playmaker creating space

– dziugss (Džiugas Steponavičius): support specialist, glue for team synergy

– misutaaa (Kévin Rabier): experienced rifler from Vitality and Falcon background

– Coach: coolio

– Manager: Garrixer

FUT’s goal is to break into Valve’s top‑30 ranking and compete not just at Tier‑2 but to challenge established Tier‑1 organisations. Their debut appearances at RES Showdown 2 and BLAST Bounty Season 2 gave them immediate tests—and exposure—to showcase progress under a unified identity.

Why This Transition Matters

Before diving into the specifics of what comes next, it’s important to understand why this transition between NAVI and FUT has drawn so much attention. It isn’t just about one team selling a roster and another buying it. This move reflects deeper realities of the CS2 competitive structure, the economics of academy teams, and the strategic calculations behind talent development.

Developmental Limits at NAVI

Valve’s rule that prevents two teams under the same organisation from competing in the same major or qualifiers meant NAVI Junior could never truly rise while NAVI’s main team remained active. Consequently, NAVI opted to release the team as a coherent unit rather than scatter the players. That way, they avoid disrupting team chemistry and lose ranking slot continuity.

FUT’s Calculated Risk

Signing an existing, battle‑tested unit with proven teamwork and upright ranking status is less risky than building a team from scratch. The mix of young aggression and misutaaa’s experience provides balance. FUT also gains ranking eligibility immediately, bypassing the slow start of an unknown roster.

NAVI’s Talent Pipeline Strategy

Promoting makazze shows NAVI’s commitment to developing from within. Their academy system continues to fuel the main team’s evolution. It also frees NAVI to rebuild academy with fresh youth prospects, closing one chapter and opening another.

What Comes Next for NAVI and FUT

The transfer is complete, the contracts are signed, and the public announcements are done. Now the real challenge begins for both organisations. FUT has to prove that the NAVI-built synergy can work under a new banner, while NAVI must integrate makazze into its main team without disrupting established chemistry. Here’s a closer look at the road ahead for both sides.

FUT Esports’ CS2 Campaign

The new FUT lineup enters key tournaments immediately. Their first appearance as FUT comes in RES Showdown Fall 2025, followed by BLAST Bounty Season 2. These events will test whether the chemistry and talent translate under new leadership. If they perform well, FUT could climb quickly in VRS and begin challenging for Tier‑1 invites.

Fan reactions so far have been overwhelmingly positive, celebrating FUT’s ambition and NAVI’s trust in the players. Many fans and community figures encouraged FUT to produce its own sticker collection, marking the moment as significant for the region.

NAVI’s Main Team Next Steps

With Makazze onboard, NAVI’s active roster adds youthful firepower. The question now is who he displaces—possibly iM — or whether the team shifts strategic roles. NAVI over the coming months, will likely reveal further adjustments as they pursue better finishes in majors and grand finals. The makazze upgrade gives them flexibility in offensive setups and mid‑round adaptations.

NAVI Academy itself will be rebuilt. New prospects will now enter NAVI’s development system, ensuring the main team continues to draw from homegrown talent.

Tactical Implications and Style Transition

In NAVI Junior training under coolio, the team developed fast-paced tactics: early utility usage, coordinated entry bursts, quick rotations, and clutch‑centric late‑round structures. With Makazze promoted, the NAVI main team may incorporate some of that tempo, especially on Overpass and Mirage, where aggressive T‑side control is critical.

For FUT, coach coolio remains at the helm, meaning they retain strong tactical continuity. Demo reviews likely stress aggressive opening plays from dem0n and multi‑kill potential from cmtry and Krabeni. Dziugss’s anchor play will help hold sites after control. Misutaaa brings grand final experience and can stabilize in pressure scenarios. Together, they enter BLAST‑level competition with a style rooted in aggression but tempered with mature clutching and adaptation pacing.

Potential Challenges Ahead

Both organisations face hurdles. FUT must adapt to the greater pressure of Tier‑1 play. Their infrastructure may need expansion to support travel, media, bootcamps, and coaching systems. misutaaa integration could take time; community commentary online questioned whether he fits with the NAVI‑built synergy.

NAVI must integrate makazze while maintaining team balance. A misaligned role swap could disrupt performance, especially if existing players are shuffled without clear plan. NAVI will need to decide whether to restructure iM or other roles accordingly.

What This Means for the CS2 Ecosystem

This series of moves signals a broader evolution in CS2’s competition structure. Valve’s limitations on multiple teams from same organisations force academy squads to branch out, creating new standalone teams like FUT. This fosters greater competition depth, raises the value of academy structures, and allows fresh rosters to rise quickly if given proper resources.

Players from academy systems now gain equal bargaining power. Teams that invest in talent development might benefit by transferring whole units rather than dissolving them. Organisations like FUT can step in to offer a stable environment and climb fast. As more academy teams follow this path, CS2 could see more fluid movement between brands and new rapid‑growth roster experiments.

Summary of Key Points

After looking at NAVI Academy’s journey, the makazze promotion, and FUT’s acquisition of the core roster, it’s worth distilling the main takeaways. 

– NAVI Academy (NAVI Junior) rose rapidly during 2024–2025, winning tournaments and breaking into Valve’s top‑30 ranking.

– Makazze earned a promotion to NAVI’s main CS2 squad in June 2025, based on statistical dominance and entry fragging leadership.

– NAVI sold the remaining core (dem0n, cmtry, Krabeni, dziugss, coach coolio) to FUT Esports, including Valve ranking eligibility. Misutaaa joined as the fifth player.

– FUT’s aim is to reach Tier‑1 status and leverage existing synergy under a unified banner.

– NAVI demonstrates a clear youth‑to‑main pipeline and will rebuild its academy system.

– Tactically, makazze brings aggressive tempo to NAVI main; FUT inherits coordinated entry heavy style from coolio’s system.

– Future challenges include integration pressure, role alignment, and proving consistency at higher competition levels.

– These moves reflect evolving academy‑main separation trends in CS2, offering new growth paths across organisations.

Final Thoughts

This transition marks a defining moment in NAVI’s strategy and FUT’s ambition. It signals a maturing CS2 ecosystem where academy success can spark independent growth, and where young talent quickly finds pathways to Tier‑1 competition. makazze’s rise and FUT’s bold acquisition reveal the power of proven teamwork and structured development. Both organisations now face the real test — delivering results when the stakes are highest.

Expect NAVI’s main team to sharpen in upcoming majors around mid‑ to late‑2025. Meanwhile, FUT’s debut at RES Showdown and BLAST Bounty will offer glimpses of how well the academy stars perform when lifted to a new stage. One thing is clear: the NAVI Academy story is far from over, and CS2’s competitive landscape just gained fresh momentum.