Perfecto – A Top Player Without a Team. How Did This Happen?

Ilya "Perfecto" Zalutsky is one of the most recognizable players in CS:GO and CS2. Known for his stable rifling and unparalleled anchoring skills, he thrived in teams like NAVI and Cloud9. Yet, for the past nine months, Perfecto CS2 has been teamless. How did such a prominent player end up on the bench?

 

What Happened to Perfecto After Leaving Cloud9?

Perfecto has been on the bench since April 2024. Ironically, his presence in Cloud9's roster allowed the team to retain their RMR points and secure a spot at the Shanghai Major, even though he didn’t play a single map.

Despite this, Perfecto has remained committed to CS2. He grinds Faceit regularly and even trained through the holiday season—playing his last match on December 31 at 7 PM and resuming on January 1 at 5 PM. By early 2025, he had already played 30 matches, boasting a high level of individual performance with 3.8k Elo and ranking 151st globally.

Over the years, CS2 Perfecto has also evolved into a versatile player. While he was once regarded as the best anchor in NAVI, his time in Cloud9 saw him transitioning to more aggressive roles. On Mirage, he shifted from anchoring B to playing short, and after sh1ro’s departure, he even stepped into the AWP role on certain maps.

Why Is Perfecto Still Without a Team?

According to insiders, Perfecto received offers, but not as many as some might think. OverDrive claimed Perfecto turned down several opportunities, waiting for better ones, but Ilya disagrees:

“If there was a chance to join a decent tier-2 stack, I’d have taken it. I don’t see myself as a CS2 star and am ready to prove my worth again. So believe me, if there were an opportunity, I’d already be playing.”

During these nine months, rumors linked him to numerous teams:

• Vitality. In mid-2024, the team was looking for Mezii’s replacement, with Perfecto considered a strong candidate.

• G2. Discussions reportedly fell through due to internal issues, including Niko’s reluctance to take on the IGL role. Additionally, OverDrive noted the strained relationship between G2 and Cloud9, complicating negotiations.

• Spirit. The CS community speculated on Perfecto replacing certain players, but Spirit’s Major victory effectively closed this door for at least six months.

• Others. Perfecto also reportedly received an offer from BC.Game but dismissed it outright.

Why Is Finding a Team So Difficult?

On paper, Perfecto in CS2 seems like an ideal candidate—consistent, versatile, and experienced at the highest level. However, several factors complicate his situation:

1. High Transfer Cost. Insider Spunj suggested Cloud9 set a price tag of over $500,000 for Perfecto. While this might be reasonable for a fragging star, it’s steep for an anchor.

2. Role Preferences. Ilya no longer wants to be just an anchor, seeking to play more aggressive roles instead. However, his stats from 2024 (1.05 rating over 57 maps) don’t make him stand out compared to younger talents.

3. Limited Openings. Few top-tier teams currently have vacancies for riflers. When spots do open, organizations often prioritize up-and-coming players with higher ratings or greater potential.

Perfecto’s Config and Settings in CS2

What’s Next for Perfecto?

If Perfecto doesn’t find a team soon, he risks missing out on competitive matches until the summer. With top organizations unlikely to make roster changes after the chaotic winter transfer window, the timing isn’t in his favor.

Perfecto faces a tough choice: either adapt to a lesser role or join a lower-tier team to prove his worth in a new position. Regardless, his future remains uncertain.

Still, Perfecto’s journey highlights the challenges of staying relevant in the competitive world of esports, even for players with proven track records.