NiKo Hits Back at Critics: 'I Don’t Think I’m Washed'

NiKo Confronts Performance Slump: "I'm Still One of the Best"

Nikola "NiKo" Kovač is not ready to surrender his throne. After a statistically challenging 2025, the Team Falcons rifler has addressed concerns regarding his form during the BLAST Bounty Winter 2026. Despite recording his lowest HLTV Top 20 ranking in a decade, the Bosnian superstar remains adamant that his individual ceiling hasn't lowered.

A Rare Statistical Dip

For years, NiKo has been the gold standard for riflers in Counter-Strike. However, 2025 marked a departure from his usual dominance. Finishing 18th in the HLTV Top 20—his worst placement since his debut in 2016—NiKo admitted to being surprised by the number of events where he posted a negative rating.

"In 2025, I had a lot of these events when I had a negative rating. It was a bit weird for me to see," NiKo remarked. "But I'm still confident that I'm one of the best players in my role. I don't think I'm washed or whatever."

The Falcons Era and Betting Implications

Team Falcons kicked off their BLAST Bounty campaign with a convincing 2-0 over ECSTATIC, showcasing a level of depth that suggests they are finding their rhythm. For bettors and analysts, NiKo’s self-assurance is a critical narrative to watch.

Betting Angle: When NiKo plays with a chip on his shoulder, his impact rating usually skyrockets. While his 2025 stats might lead bookmakers to set his player prop lines (Total Kills/Over-Under) slightly lower than in previous years, his renewed focus on consistency makes him a prime candidate for "Over" bets in high-stakes matches. If he regains his Top 5 form, Team Falcons becomes a dangerous underdog against Tier 1 giants like G2 or FaZe.

Finding Consistency in 2026

NiKo noted that he has "settled into his role" within the Falcons' system. The focus now shifts from flashy individual plays to consistent output at Major events. If NiKo can bridge the gap between his current 18th-place form and his historical Top 5 status, Falcons could quickly become a staple in Grand Finals throughout the 2026 season.

For now, the message to the CS2 community is clear: do not write off the Kovac legacy just yet.