f0rest
Swedish Counter-Strike legend, known for his tenure on Fnatic and dominance with Ninjas in Pyjamas.
Patrik Lindberg (born June 10, 1988), known by the pseudonym f0rest, is a Swedish esports player who is considered to be one of the best Counter-Strike players in the world. Having played competitively since 2005, Lindberg has been widely regarded within the esports scene as the greatest player in Counter-Strike history. Lindberg is best known for his four years of tenure on the Fnatic roster, which he helped bring to prominence as the dominant team of 2009, during which year the team broke the record for the highest-earning team in Counter-Strike history. Near the end of 2010, Lindberg left Fnatic and joined SK Gaming, which he remained with until July 2012. Soon after, he transitioned over to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and joined the team Ninjas in Pyjamas. In 2020, Lindberg left NiP to join Dignitas.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 10 June 1988
- Nationality
- Swedish
- Game
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Role
- Rifler, AWPer
- Career games
- Counter Strike; Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Lore & Background
Lindberg began his professional gaming career in early 2005, when he made his international debut at the global finals in South Korea for the World e-Sports Games, alongside the new Swedish team of Begrip Gaming. There, Begrip defeated all opponents, including the defending champions Catch-Gamers and won the prize pot of 50,000 USD. Following this victory, Lindberg dropped out of high school to concentrate on his Counter-Strike career. In 2005, Lindberg was nominated for the eSports Award 2005, under the categories for 'Newcomer of the Year' and 'Best Counter-Strike Player'. In early 2006, Lindberg left Begrip alongside his teammate Kristoffer 'Tentpole' Nordlund, and signed a contract with Fnatic and became a permanent member of the team. Lindberg's first year in Fnatic proved to be successful, having the team earn upwards of US$100,000, which was acknowledged by Turtle Entertainment. During 2006, Fnatic won the Cyberathlete Professional League Championship, the World Tour, along with a silver medal at the Electronic Sports World Cup. Lindberg was once again nominated for the eSports Award and won the Counter-Strike Player of the Year Award. However, Fnatic faced a major slump from 2007 through 2008, as the team failed to win any major tournaments and only achieved a handful of medals. The team regained its form and chemistry in 2009, however, with the retirement of Oscar 'Archi' Torgersen and Oscar 'ins' Holm and the recruitment of Christopher 'GeT_Right' Alesund and Rasmus 'GuX' Ståhl. During 2009, Fnatic was the single most-dominant team, having garnered gold medal victories at the Intel Extreme Masters Global Challenge, European Finals and World Championship, ESWC 2009, e-Stars Seoul, KODE5 and World eSports Masters. In 2009, Lindberg was nominated for the eSports Award 2009, under the category of 'Regional eSports Player of the Year Northern Europe', but lost to his teammate Alesund, who won the main category for eSports Player of the Year. Fnatic could not repeat its success from 2009 in the 2010 season, however, as the team found itself at odds with the Ukrainians from Natus Vincere, with their winnings being upward of US$220,000.
Reader's Guide
Patrik Lindberg (f0rest) is a legendary Swedish Counter-Strike player. He debuted internationally in 2005 with Begrip Gaming, winning $50,000 as a team. He joined Fnatic in early 2006 and helped them dominate in 2009. After a failed attempt to replace Fnatic's leadership in 2010, he left for SK Gaming. He left SK in July 2012 and joined Ninjas in Pyjamas for CS:GO, where he achieved great success. He later moved to Dignitas in 2020.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Patrik Lindberg, known globally as f0rest, launched his professional esports journey in early 2005 with the Swedish squad Begrip Gaming. Making his international debut at the World e-Sports Games finals in South Korea, he helped his team secure a flawless victory against defending champions Catch-Gamers, claiming a $50,000 prize pot. This immediate success prompted Lindberg to drop out of high school to dedicate himself fully to competitive Counter-Strike. His rapid rise earned him nominations for the 2005 eSports Awards in both newcomer and player categories. By early 2006, he transitioned to Fnatic alongside teammate Kristoffer Nordlund, marking the start of a transformative era. During his first year with Fnatic, the team generated over $100,000 in winnings and secured titles at the Cyberathlete Professional League Championship and World Tour. Lindberg's individual excellence was recognized when he won the Counter-Strike Player of the Year Award that same year, establishing himself as a premier talent before his mid-career slump.
The Dominant Fnatic Era
After experiencing a challenging period between 2007 and 2008 where major titles eluded them, Fnatic underwent a significant roster overhaul in 2009 that revitalized their competitive spirit. With the retirement of long-time members Oscar Torgersen and Oscar Holm, the team recruited Christopher Alesund and Rasmus Ståhl to join Lindberg. This new configuration proved unstoppable, making Fnatic the single most dominant force in Counter-Strike history for that year. They swept gold medals at prestigious events including the Intel Extreme Masters Global Challenge, ESWC 2009, e-Stars Seoul, KODE5, and the World eSports Masters. Their collective performance broke records for the highest earnings by a team in the game's history. While Lindberg was nominated for Regional Player of the Year in Northern Europe, his teammate Alesund took the top global honor that season. This period cemented f0rest's reputation as one of the greatest players ever, showcasing his ability to lead a squad to absolute supremacy.
Transition and Global Offensive Dominance
Following an underwhelming 2010 season where Fnatic struggled against rivals like Natus Vincere, Lindberg sought roster changes that were ultimately denied by management. Consequently, he departed with teammates Alesund and Ståhl to join SK Gaming in late 2010. Although the team faced initial difficulties in early 2011, they recovered to become the second highest-earning squad of that year behind ESC Gaming. However, internal disarray at SK Gaming led to Lindberg's departure in July 2012 after the organization refused travel arrangements for a tournament. Shortly thereafter, he made the pivotal transition to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive by joining Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP). This move proved legendary; NiP became the most dominant team in the new title's history during 2012 and 2013. They achieved an incredible 87-map winning streak and reached the grand finals of every major $250,000 tournament until ESL One Cologne 2015, where they finally claimed victory.
Legacy and Career Trajectory
Throughout a career spanning nearly two decades starting in 2005, Lindberg has been widely regarded within the esports community as the greatest Counter-Strike player of all time. His journey from a high school dropout to a record-breaking champion illustrates his unwavering commitment to the craft. Beyond his individual accolades, including multiple Player of the Year nominations and awards, his impact is defined by the teams he elevated. From breaking earnings records with Fnatic in 2009 to establishing an era of dominance with Ninjas in Pyjamas during the Global Offensive launch, Lindberg consistently performed at the highest level. His tenure extended through various organizational shifts, including a brief but impactful stint at SK Gaming and later joining Dignitas in 2020 after leaving NiP. Even as the competitive landscape evolved from Source to Global Offensive, his status remained untarnished, securing his place as a foundational figure who shaped the trajectory of professional Counter-Strike history.
Elsewhere in Fnatic
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