YEKINDAR caps off first year post-Liquid with return to HLTV Top 20 list

After a tumultuous time with Liquid and a much-needed break, Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis is back in the HLTV Top 20 Players List for the first time since 2022, once again claiming the number 15 spot.

YEKINDAR's return to form with FURIA has been instrumental to the success of the Brazilian team. Flanked by a veteran leader in Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo and a breakout rookie AWPer in Danil "molodoy" Golubenko, YEKINDAR and FURIA claimed four trophies in three months to close out 2025, while reaching the playoffs of both Majors this year.

Sometimes all players need is a fresh change of scenery, and arguably no one needed it more than YEKINDAR. He entered Liquid at the end of 2022 with a lot of fanfare and high expectations, but the European core roster of 2023 flamed out, and the additions of Twistzz and cadiaN in 2024 did little to improve results.

"I got benched afterwards," he told HLTV, "and to some degree, it was a weight off my shoulders because I knew I could start anew and that I'd be able to try to find myself. I just didn't know where and how." YEKINDAR would land a stand-in opportunity with FURIA fresh after their molodoy acquisition, leading to a full-time deal, a handful of trophies, and now a return to one of Counter-Strike's most recognized accolades.