Best CS2 Players in 2026 | Top 10 Ranking

As we head into the new year, another 12 months of competitive Counter-Strike awaits. And while the field of teams was dominated largely by Vitality, in terms of players, the conversation is a little closer. It’s time to take a look at the best CS2 players in the world heading into 2026!

10. kyousuke

Breaking into a list of the best CS2 players is never easy, and kyousuke has done it in his rookie year, looking like this is where he has always belonged. The eye test matches the numbers, sharp mechanics, confident decision-making, and a willingness to take responsibility when rounds start slipping. The 17-year-old averaged a rating of 1.25 this year, with a 1.16 rating in the top 20 space. He took on a lot of NiKo’s roles, and he has proven his stripes well. What makes his rise so impressive is how quickly he’s adapted to higher stakes and tougher opponents, without shrinking when the pressure ramps up. Tenth might feel low given the numbers he’s put up, but he only broke into tier-one in July. With a larger sample size, it’s easy to see him climbing much higher.

9. Twistzz

Twistzz has quietly built another year that reminds everyone why he’s been elite across eras. An average rating of 1.16 across two teams that were fighting for a stable structure is commendable. Even when the spotlight has shifted elsewhere, he keeps showing up as that reliable pillar in the mid-round; he can be the difference maker for teams. He started strong in Liquid this year, slowed down a bit mid-year, but found his groove again in FaZe. A 1.32-rated EPL 22, where he took a FaZe crippling with a stand-in to a top-four finish, speaks volumes about his ability to single-handedly be the winning formula without needing too much space. His value is constant, and to do that in teams that are plagued by inconsistency, that kind of presence deserves a spot in the top 10.

8. KSCERATO

If there’s one word that follows KSCERATO everywhere, it’s “dependable,” but that almost sells him short. He’s not just consistent, but he has proven to be the star factor FURIA can rely on when molodoy has gone missing. The calm shows in the way he takes fights and closes rounds. While flashier names take headlines, KSCERATO keeps stacking strong performances with the kind of discipline that wins matches even when nothing else is going right. This year, he averaged a 1.19 rating across 180 maps. The main reason KSCERATO ends up two spots outside the top five is that his level dips when you isolate his games against Top-5 opponents.

7. sh1ro

In the shadow of louder storylines, sh1ro’s consistency can get overlooked, which is almost ironic because that consistency is exactly his superpower. Even with donk wrecking havoc, and roster changes affecting him, he has rounded up another year by being consistently elite. This year, he averaged a 1.20 rating across 159 maps. However, against the top 10 teams, the number drops to 1.10, which has been the one kryptonite chaining sh1ro for years.

6. frozen

frozen’s CS2 run this year may not have seemed too fruitful, but his individual performance has stayed rock solid. Even when the team around him hits turbulence, he stays steady, putting up the kind of baseline performance you can build a system around. He’s been a stabilizer, and when a team needs someone to stop the bleeding, frozen often ends up being the one holding the line. He has proven to be a big game player, with his rating elevating from the usual 1.15 to a 1.22 when faced against a Top 5 opponent. That kind of step-up impact is exactly what this list aims to reward, which is why frozen ranks this high amongst the best CS2 players.

5. molodoy

molodoy’s placement here is the kind that makes sense once you watch enough of his games. He has that rare mix of confidence and control, where he can take space when it’s needed but also knows when to slow things down. The jump from promising to proven is a hard one, yet he’s crossed it with the kind of performances that stop feeling like a hot streak and start feeling like a standard. This year has been the most successful one for FURIA, and it is safe to say that molodoy has been the driving force. An average rating of 1.17, which shoots to 1.20 when met with a top 5 foe, shows molodoy doesn’t shy away when the competition gets tougher, which is why he’s already regarded as being among the best CS2 players in the world right now.

4. ropz

ropz is still the blueprint for clean Counter-Strike. With crisp mechanics, sharp timings, and mid-round presence, he is the sort of player who quietly wins games. Even when his form has ebbed and flowed, the ceiling never disappears. When he’s on, he’s not just good, he’s surgical, and he remains one of the most complete riflers CS2 has to offer. And this year, well, it has been filled with accolades for the Estonian. The numbers might only show a 1.16 average rating, but his impact is written all over Vitality’s trophy cabinet.

3. m0NESY

The “baby GOAT” label stuck for a reason, and he’s only grown into it. Even after changing jerseys in the Tier 1 echelon for the first time in his career, m0NESY has remained terrifying in the moments that matter most. While the start in Falcons may have been slower than he would have wanted, he has quickly risen to the throne in the second half of the season. A 1.25 rating this year only looks modest because of the bar he’s set for himself, and it’s a bar he can easily clear again next season.

2. ZywOo

Seeing ZywOo in second place almost feels familiar, like the scene has come full circle. Andit’s not often you see a player with two Major MVPs in the same year still miss the throne. What’s unequivocal, though, is his consistency. He has that metronomic quality where even his “quiet” events are still better than most players’ peaks. And while the top spot slipped away this time, his overall level, which amounted to a 1.32 rating, combined with eight MVPs, still underlines just how elite he’s been.

1. donk

At this point, calling donk a breakout star feels outdated. It is clear that he’s here to rule. While many were calling his 2024 numbers a fluke, and that he would ‘cool down’, he has somehow levelled up. If his average rating of 1.42 doesn’t convince you of his standing, we have an extensive explainer for you. The most striking part is how his dominance holds up even when the opposition improves, as if the difficulty slider doesn’t apply to him. Whether you judge by the eye test or the numbers you’ll plug in, the conclusion stays the same: donk sits at the top as the best CS2 player in the world.