Counter-Strike player ZywOo becomes the cover star of L’Équipe

French Counter-Strike 2 esports player Mathieu’ZywoOo‘ Herbaut will appear on the front page of a French sports magazine L’Equipe.

I Group Vitality AWPer is one of the most successful esports players in France, having won three Counter-Strike Majors and several Tier 1 tournaments

Revealed as a magazine star on February 18ZywOo becomes the latest esports player to appear in one of France’s longest-running sports publications. In January 2025, a League of Legends player Caliste ‘Caliste’ Henry-Hennebert appeared on the cover of this magazine as part of L’Équipe’s expanding coverage of sports in the country.

L’Équipe was founded in 1946, a daily newspaper that focuses on all sports and is best known for its coverage of football, cycling, and motor sports. Since December 2025, it has covered the French sports scene, highlighting the country’s players and teams competing in various international events in a variety of topics.

2026 marks ZywOo’s 12th year of competing in Counter-Strike esports. Since 2018, the 25-year-old has represented Team Vitality, which has cemented its place as the best in the world. Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) group in the last 12 months.

In the past 12 months, the team has won 11 Tier 1 championships and its 5th Season ESL Grand Slaman inspirational team that wins four top-level events with a prize pool of $1m (~£738,200). In addition to a wealth of in-game success, ZywOo has collaborated with the likes of The Pulsar again ASUS ROG introducing a range of esports peripherals.

In recent years, France has continued to increase its focus on sports by increasing the country’s demand for tournament organizers who want to host events in the country. In 2023 his government revealed plans to create a national ecosystem designed to support the industry and assist players in obtaining visas for international tournaments.

By 2025, 12 notable French organizations form the French Union of Professional Esports Clubs with the aim of raising awareness about sports and helping with industrial development. On February 7, 2026, the union announced that request to be a partner team first of all Esports Nations Cup which happened in November.

Since the unveiling of France’s national sports strategy, several high-profile tournaments have taken place. Recently, Ubisoft is hosting the Six Invitational of Adidas Arena in Paris.

With ZywOo becoming the latest esports player to appear on L’Équipe, it’s clear to see that France is embracing esports as the country’s teams and players continue to find success.