LG RETURNS TO COUNTER STRIKE!
Luminosity signs the Monte core and IGL lux as founder Steve Maida fulfills a years-long promise to bring LG back to where it all began - Luminosity Gaming is back in Counter-Strike.
The iconic esports organization — one of the most recognizable brands in the history of the game — has officially announced its return to CS2, signing a five-man roster headlined by the breakout Monte core and veteran in-game leader lux. The lineup marks LG's first competitive CS2 appearance under the stewardship of its original founder, who reacquired the organization with exactly this moment in mind.
Official Roster:
- Aurélien "afro" Drapier
- Aleks "Rainwaker" Petrov
- Aurimas "Bymas" Pipiras
- Lucas "lux" Meneghini
- Oscar "AZUWU" Bell
- "After retiring in 2021 and watching Luminosity it was always my goal to one day buy it back and put LG where it belongs — where it all started — Counter-Strike. Today I couldn't be happier to finally announce that day has come with the signing of the Monte core and lux as our in-game leader. So many things and people had to come together to make this happen, including our participation at XSE. When we were evaluating entry points back into the scene, the opportunity to sign the core as free agents presented itself. We believe fully in this team and their success at Cologne proved we bet right. It's only the begining for this squad and we're excited to see them grow to new hieghts. We want to thank Monte ownership for coordinating the buyout of Rainwaker."
- — Steve Maida, Founder & Owner, Luminosity Gaming
The Core: Historic Major Run
The Monte squad turned heads on the global stage at the 2026 Cologne Major, advancing all the way to Stage 3 in one of the most surprising runs of the tournament. The group arrives at LG carrying real momentum: they are currently ranked #15 in Europe and #18 in the world on the Valve Regional Standing, giving the new-look Luminosity squad an immediate foothold in the global rankings picture.
The IGL: lux Brings Proven Pedigree
Rounding out the five-man lineup is lux, a seasoned in-game leader from Brazil, who most recently demonstrated his impact on team Legacy. When lux joined Legacy in January 2025, the team sat at approximately #53 in the world. Under his leadership, Legacy climbed all the way to a peak ranking of #8 globally on the VRS.
What's Next: XSE Pro League, China
The new roster won't have long to settle in. Luminosity Gaming's first official competition under this banner is the XSE Pro League, taking place in China beginning July 1st, 2026 -a fitting stage for LG to make its return to Counter-Strike on the world's radar.
