G2 Esports has benched Álvaro “SunPayus” García, marking the latest move in what has become a dramatic overhaul of one of Counter-Strike’s most storied rosters. The Spanish AWPer, who joined the organization in mid-2025, is now on the sidelines as G2 continues searching for the right formula in Counter-Strike 2.

The benching, effective June 25, represents the first Tier-1 player replacement in what appears to be a broader restructuring effort. Neither G2 nor SunPayus has publicly commented on the decision.

A rebuild that keeps rebuilding

The organization brought SunPayus aboard after acquiring him from HEROIC, along with coach sAw and player MATYS, as part of a package deal designed to inject new life into the lineup. The moves came after G2 lost two of the biggest names in competitive Counter-Strike: m0NESY and NiKo, players who defined G2’s identity for years, both departed the organization.

SunPayus arrived with a career earnings total of approximately $407,000, a respectable figure that reflects consistent performance across multiple organizations. His time at HEROIC had established him as a capable AWPer, the designated sniper role that often serves as the backbone of a Counter-Strike team’s defensive structure.

Coach sAw’s role in this situation is particularly interesting. He came to G2 as part of the same HEROIC package as SunPayus, and his tactical approach was meant to shape the new-look roster. With his former player now benched, it raises questions about whether the coaching staff’s vision aligns with the direction the organization wants to take.