In a significant roster move, Natus Vincere (NAVI) has officially promoted Drin “makazze” Shaqiri, an 18-year-old rising star, from NAVI Junior to the organization’s main Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) team. Following months of strong performances at the academy level, makazze will now step onto one of the biggest stages in professional Counter-Strike. With NAVI looking to revitalize its lineup after a lackluster competitive season, expectations for his impact are high.
makazze’s Meteoric Rise From Academy to Elite Play
Hailing from Kosovo, makazze joined NAVI Junior in late 2023 and quickly became one of the standout performers in the tier-two CS2 scene. Known for his aggressive and fearless rifling, the teenager has attracted widespread acclaim from analysts and former professionals for showcasing maturity well beyond his years.
makazze registered a consistent HLTV average rating of 1.19 over the past year, with an uptick to 1.24 in the last three months. During this phase, he was instrumental in multiple victories for NAVI Junior, including:
- YaLLa Compass – part of the Thunderpick World Championship’s European qualifiers
- Two CCT Season 3 European Series titles
- Compass Qatar 2025
His ability to take initiative on T-sides and deliver in high-pressure scenarios made his transition to the main roster not just a question of if, but when.
Strategic Changes Following a Turbulent Season for NAVI
NAVI’s decision comes on the heels of a disappointing start to the 2025 season. Despite the high praise as the 2024 Team of the Year, NAVI’s current roster struggled to recapture its championship form. Their exit in the quarterfinals of the BLAST.tv Austin Major was particularly underwhelming for a team with title aspirations.
Head coach Andriy “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy and in-game leader Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen both publicly leaned into the likelihood of personnel adjustments heading into the competitive year’s second half.
The organization clarified their goal clearly: their roster must remain agile and competitive amid ever-increasing parity in the global CS2 scene.
“For the next season, we need to have a competitive team, a competitive lineup. We can’t stand still; we need to develop because all teams and organizations are trying to break through… It is very important not to stand still.”
Unresolved Questions Around Main Roster Roles
Although makazze’s promotion was confirmed, NAVI has yet to disclose which current member he will replace in the starting five. According to reports from bo3.gg, changes involving Mihai “iM” Ivan and Justinas “jL” Lekavičius appear most likely. Both players share aggressive, space-creating roles that overlap with makazze’s typical positions.
Full confirmation of the new roster is expected ahead of IEM Cologne 2025 (July 23 – August 3), where makazze is likely to debut with the main team on the international stage.
Projected NAVI Lineup (Pending Roster Clarification):
- Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy
- Justinas “jL” Lekavičius
- Mihai “iM” Ivan
- Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen
- Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov
- Drin “makazze” Shaqiri
- Coach: Andriy “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy
NAVI Junior Squad Placed on Transfer List
In addition to promoting makazze, NAVI announced a broader structural change to their academy program. The organization has placed the remaining four NAVI Junior players on the transfer list, along with the coach and the team’s existing Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points. This package could be particularly attractive to prospective organizations looking to field a competitive team eligible for Major qualification.
“The limitations of the CS ecosystem do not allow the academy team to further develop under the NAVI tag, which is why we now accept offers to buy the NAVI Junior roster, including four players, a coach, and a ranking eligible for Major invites.”
Despite this shift, NAVI has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering new talent by planning to rebuild the academy lineup in the near future.
Official Announcement from NAVI
The organization used their official X (formerly Twitter) account to announce makazze’s promotion to the starting squad and the broader shift in roster strategy:
What’s Next for NAVI and makazze?
As NAVI gears up for a critical stretch of the competitive calendar, all eyes will be on how makazze adjusts to the ferocious pace and pressure of top-tier CS2. His mechanical skill and fearless approach make him an ideal candidate to inject new energy into the team. However, the transition from academy prodigy to main roster linchpin is never guaranteed.
With IEM Cologne fast approaching, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to evaluate how this roster reset positions NAVI for both short- and long-term success.
For more rumors and analysis on the NAVI roster:
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