Best CS2 Players in 2025

CS2 has been out for more than an a year, and it’s reassuring that no single team has taken over the meta as the sole dominant force. Unlike the fledgling days of CS:GO, where NiP went on a 60-match win streak, CS2 has seen the mantle of #1 go from one hand to another rather quickly. Both of the CS2 Majors have been fairly competitive, with no singular titan towering over the field.

The success factor for these teams have been a pantheon of star players, who have all shined in the latest iteration of the game. Let us take a look at these players and rank them on the basis of their individual form, their accolades, and their impact. Let the countdown begin!

10. Frozen

Frozen’s CS2 journey with FaZe has been kinda rough. After what would be called a successful honeymoon period, trophies started running dry for FaZe. While his teammates have stumbled through slumps, Frozen has remained a steady force. The start of 2025 has been like climbing a ladder for Frozen, as he followed up a 0.84 showing at BLAST Bounty Season 1 with a 1.12 rated outing at IEM Katowice 2025 and a 1.21 rating at PGL Cluj-Napoca. His 1.12 rating in 2025 and a total of 4 EVP titles in CS2 reflects how he has truly been a lighthouse in a storm, guiding FaZe through turbulent times and earning him a well-earned 10th place in our list.

9. XANTARES

The grind hasn’t stopped for the Turkish heavyweight, as he ranks ninth on our list after a great start to the year. In 2025 so far, XANTARES has played the most big event matches out of anyone on the list, and has still managed to boast a 1.17 rating and a high impact value of 1.37. Despite a 5-6th finish at IEM Katowice, XANTARES ensured his presence was felt, as he maintained a 1.23 rating throughout the event.

8. EliGE

EliGE’s story in Complexity has been one of resilience. While his trophy cabinet remains dusty, his individual brilliance in CS2 has to be appreciated. His 1.19 rating and an 1.32 impact rating speaks volumes of the blood, sweat and tears EliGE has gone through. He has proven himself a juggernaut on the server. His hyper-aggressive stance playing for FaZe has been a joy to watch, while also being utterly impactful. Despite being underappreciated by HLTV rankings, his performance earns him a well-deserved eighth spot on our list.

7. jL

For NAVI, jL has been the epitome of a big-match player. While attributing NAVI’s success solely to him would mean discrediting the contributions of his teammates, there’s no denying that jL has been the linchpin of the squad. His accolades include 2 MVPs, including the first CS2 Major, the PGL Copenhagen Major 2024, and a total 4 EVPs to his name. The latest year has also been kind to him, as he his high output earned him a 1.34 rating at BLAST Bounty Season 1, and a 1.21 rating at IEM Katowice 2025. 

6. sh1ro

In the shadow of donk’s rise, I believe sh1ro’s consistency has gone unnoticed. Ranked as the 8th best player of 2023, sh1ro has maintained a stellar 1.17 rating throughout his CS2 career, while clinching 2 EVP titles at EPL 19 and the BLAST World Final 2023. While donk spearheads Spirit’s charge, sh1ro’s has continuously held the other end with his AWP, acting as the backbone of Team Spirit. He kicked off 2025 in prime fashion, averaging a 1.40 rating at BLAST Bounty Season 1, and then followed it up with a 1.10 rated performance at IEM Katowice 2025. 

5. Ropz

The third best player on our list is Ropz, who many considered to be the best CS2 player at the time of the game’s release. FaZe secured the title in the first three CS2 LANs, and Ropz bagged the MVP in 2 of them. However, his performance wavered at the PGL Copenhagen CS2 Major, where a dip in consistency hinted at a loss of confidence. After changing his colors to yellow, Ropz reminded why is one of the best after a 1.23 rated performance at IEM Katowice 2025, helping Vitality earn their first big trophy of the year. Despite the ebbs and the flows in Ropz’s CS2 career, he has maintained a 1.12 rating, while claiming 3 EVPs en route.

4. NiKo

Widely regarded as one of the most consistent riflers of all time, NiKo is famed for his clean aim and crisp one-taps. However, his transition to CS2 was anything but easy. By his lofty standards, the 1.03, 1.07, and 1.05 ratings in his first three events were modest at best. Yet, true to his pedigree, NiKo found his rhythm, and now boasts a 1.15 rating overall and a 1.22 impact rating. In 2025, his start to Falcons followed a similar narrative. While the first event went mediocre by his standards, he increased his MVP count by one after a stellar showing at PGL-Cluj Napoca 2025 where he earned a 1.23 rating. 

3. m0NESY

The “baby GOAT’ has ascended to new heights in CS2. While other AWPers have taken on hybrid roles, including ZywOo, m0NESY has remained resolute in wielding the big green, quickly mastering the nuances of the new AWP. With a 1.26 rating, 3 MVPs, and 5 EVPs, m0NESY has been the reason behind G2’s success in CS2. Under the crucible of high-pressure scenarios, his performance only improves, surging to a 1.29 rating, making him truly deserving of the third spot in our list.

2. ZywOo

Placing ZywOo reminds me of his rivalry with s1mple back in the days. This time, however, while the French AWPer has yet again come second, his consistency is to be lauded. ZywOo’s metronomic consistency is also the reason why he was crowned the best player of 2023. Evident from his 1.34 rating in CS2 thus far, alongside 4 MVPs and 7 EVPs, ZywOo has undeniably been a heavyweight. Unfortunately, a lacklustre performance at the Copenhagen Major, his lowest-rated CS2 event to date, sees him relinquish the top spot in our rankings.

1. donk

No surprises here. donk has been nothing short of a phenom since his induction into T1. If anything, it’s astonishing how his statistics seem to get better against better opponents. A staggering 1.38 rating in CS2, coupled with a 1.57 impact rating and a 97 ADR, is nothing short of seraphic for the 18-year-old. With 7 MVPs, that includes the recent Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, and 5 EVPs already to his name, donk is unequivocally the best player in CS2 right now.