Before the mid-2010s, South American (or even Brazilian) Counter-Strike was always seen as an afterthought, with teams that could never really compete against the giants of Europe. That all changed with the efforts of a now-legendary lineup led by one man nicknamed “The Professor” and “The Godfather of Brazilian CS”: Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo.
For more professional CS2 Esports content, check out our blog:
What Makes FalleN So Culturally Impactful in Counter-Strike?
Remember the very first IEM Rio Major back in 2023? That is the result of the Brazilian era that FalleN and the rest of his teammates under Luminosity/SK ushered in in 2016. If it weren’t for FalleN, Marcelo “coldzera” David, and the rest of their lineup winning back-to-back CS:GO Majors in that time, it’s safe to assume that the Brazilian competitive scene would never have been exposed to the rest of the world and Rio would never have gotten their Major.
FalleN wasn’t just a star CS player; he worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the game’s further growth and development. That’s why he is nicknamed “The Professor” and “The Godfather.” He is also one of the most impactful CS2 pros in terms of advocating for the game in the South American community and serving as an ambassador to bring more competitions to the region.
As a player, FalleN also falls into one of the rare archetypes: a primary AWPer and an in-game leader. There is a common stereotype that a team’s IGL is usually the worst at mechanics, but that does not apply to FalleN. He has a unique blend of Counter-attack intelligence and mechanics that can compete with anyone and everyone he faces, especially in his prime. He popularized the AWPer-IGL role during the peak days of Brazilian CS, and nowadays, more players are following suit.
More than the accolades, FalleN is remembered as a humble veteran figure in the Counter-Strike community. He is loved worldwide and is the definition of a player who does what he does for the love of the game. CS would not be where it is without The Professor, and the world is a way better place because of FalleN’s influence.
Twitter Giveaways
Daily skin giveaways on our Twitter
Stake
Leave a reply