Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a game that has gained worldwide fame and become the foundation of professional esports. Over the years, players from around the world have competed in CS:GO, rising to the top and creating legends of the game. However, the era of CS:GO is coming to an end, and the era of Counter-Strike 2 awaits us, which will write a new history and discover new stars.
We will look at the top 30 players, considering their achievements, impact on the game, and growth in popularity. Fans remember not only their outstanding performance on the server but also countless stories related to their careers and lives. There is no order in the list, all these 30 players are true legends of CS:GO.
This article is about recognizing and expressing gratitude to the best players in the history of CS:GO, who put their passion, skill, and sleepless nights into this game. We want to mention the greatest players who not only stayed at the top of CS:GO but also had a significant impact on the development of the discipline and esports as a whole.
- Ladislav "GuardiaN" Kovács
A three-time Major finalist and the recipient of eight tournament MVP awards. GuardiaN played for various teams in different conditions but was always known for his professionalism and ability to stay calm in critical situations. The Slovak won 17 trophies and earned $802,435.
- Keith "NAF" Markovic
It seems like NAF has always been in the professional scene. He has been playing for Liquid for a long time, but his career also included OpTic and Renegades. The Canadian won 11 major tournaments but never made it past the semifinals of a Major. NAF also has five MVP awards and $1,222,882 in prize money.
- Richard "shox" Papillon
Shox has played for all the top French teams during his career, and in the last two years, he even joined Liquid and Apeks. In each of his teams, he demonstrated unrealistic efficiency in clutches, often winning dead-ball chances. Richard attended 17 Majors, winning one. He also has 16 victories in other LAN tournaments, earning him 4 MVP awards. CS:GO brought him $829,499 in prize money.
- Danylo "Zeus" Teslenko
Zeus is associated with the phrase "legendary captain." Danylo has been an integral part of the CS:GO world for almost eight years. He attended dozens of major LAN tournaments, 17 of which were successful for him. The NAVI legend took this organization to the top but ironically won his only Major with another team, Gambit, at PGL Major Krakow 2017. He is also the first player to reach the Major final with two different teams. Throughout his career, Zeus won $689,568 in prize money.
- Jarosław "pashabiceps" Jarząbkowski
When it comes to iconic CS:GO players, pashabiceps' nickname will always be on the list. His impressive physical strength and vibrant personality made him one of the most well-known figures in the history of esports. With him, Virtus.pro achieved a series of prestigious trophies, including a victory at EMS One Katowice 2014, which was a significant moment in pashabiceps' career and the entire team's.
For winning the Major, the Pole received one of his three MVP awards. In total, Jarosław participated in more than a hundred major tournaments, winning 13 first-place finishes and earning $578,384 in CS:GO. After his career ended, he did not go into coaching, but took up martial arts. Despite this, he can often be seen at various esports events.
- Filip "NEO" Kubski
NEO was a legend and perhaps the best player in CS 1.6. In CS:GO, he continued his dominance and, along with the Polish roster, contended for victories at every tournament they played. He ranks higher than pashabiceps because he demonstrated his high level not only with Virtus.pro but also with FaZe, where he reached a Major and finished second at BLAST Pro Series Los Angeles 2019. This organization became his first coaching position. In CS:GO, he received two MVP awards and earned $617,331.
- Janusz "Snax" Pogorzelski
Snax, like the two previous players, joined in the triumph of Polish esports at EMS One Katowice 2014. However, unlike his former teammates, even at the age of 30, Janusz stubbornly refuses to end his career. After several years of playing for various Polish teams, he transitions to Counter-Strike 2 as part of the respectable team GamerLegion. In CS:GO, he won 14 trophies, managed to receive seven awards as the best player, and earned $676,887 in prize money.
- Jacky "Stewie2K" Yip
The nickname Stewie2K has always been associated with ambition and recognition in the world of CS:GO. He became a representative of the American esports scene and a player who helped change the perception of professional esports in the USA. With him, Cloud9 achieved a historic victory at ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, becoming the only American team to win a Major.
After that came Liquid and the fastest victory in Intel Grand Slam history, which helped Stewie2K earn $1,186,573 in his career. Recently, the player has been focusing more on VALORANT, but rumors about his return to CS2 are increasingly common.
- Jesper "JW" Wecksell
JW gained recognition in the global esports community as a member of the fnatic team. It was with this team that he won three Majors and an additional 22 major tournaments. He received one of his three MVP awards at DreamHack Winter 2013. Jesper had a unique aggressive AWP playstyle that was difficult to adapt to, allowing him to dominate the scene for a long time. The Swede continues to play and may even bring his prize money ($919,994) to a million.
- Nathan "NBK-" Schmitt
He has always been a player who can perform various roles in a team, whether it's a crucial fragger, strategist, or leader. This versatility makes NBK- a reliable player for any team. He has participated in numerous historic victories and has always been recognized for his contribution to the development of French esports. He won 24 events, including two Majors, received four MVP awards, and earned $842,358. He is currently playing for the Falcons, but it seems that his time with this team is coming to an end. However, it is clear that the experience of NBK- can be useful to many organizations.
- Patrik "f0rest" Lindberg
Thanks to his influence on the game and longevity in the esports world, f0rest, representing the "old guard" of professional players, remains a living legend and an inspiration for the new generation. His contribution to the game's development and high level of professionalism make him an unforgettable figure in the history of CS:GO.
Patrick dominated with NiP at the beginning of the game and is now looking for a team to try his skills in Counter-Strike 2. f0rest has won 24 trophies, eight MVP awards, and $571,133 in prize money. Is one of the three players who has been a permanent member of all three historical Swedish teams Ninjas in Pyjamas, SK Gaming and Fnatic.
- Russell "Twistzz" Van Dulken
Twistzz is only 23 years old but has already made his mark in the history of Counter-Strike. He initially had an incredibly successful period with Liquid, during which he won numerous tournaments and Intel Grand Slam Season 2. After that, he moved to Europe to win several more events with FaZe, including PGL Major Antwerp 2022. This year, Russell became the first player to win two seasons of Intel Grand Slam. His achievements include two MVP awards and $1,541,793 earned in prize money.
- Howard "rain" Nygaard
Rain is the epitome of consistency. The Norwegian has been with FaZe for nearly eight years, a team of stars, and no one has ever doubted his presence on the team. Howard has won 16 trophies, including a major, for his excellent performance, for which he was awarded the title of the best player. At the age of 27 years and eight months, he became the oldest MVP in the history of these tournaments. Additionally, Rain has two more best player awards and $1,439,216 in prize money.
- Robin "flusha" Ronnquist
Due to his remarkable performances, Robin was often called a cheater, even by professional players who couldn't believe that a Swede could play so well. Flusha is known for his skillful gameplay and the ability to analyze situations on the map. His ability to make crucial and unexpected decisions helped fnatic win three majors. At ESL One: Cologne 2015, flusha received one of his four MVP awards. He has earned $887,302 in prize money over his career.
- Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund
GeT_RiGhT boasts 10 awards for the best player and 24 major events to his name. He ranks fourth in terms of MVP count. Christopher is not just a player but also a legend who will forever be remembered in the history of CS:GO. His contributions to the game's development and innovative tactical approach make him the most influential figure in esports history. He has won $522,015 in his CS:GO career. The second player to participate for all three historical Swedish teams Ninjas in Pyjamas, SK Gaming and Fnatic.
- Olof "olofmeister" Kajbjer Gustafsson
Olofmeister is renowned for his high skill level and the ability to win crucial rounds for his team. He has always been a player who can change the course of a game and lead his team to victory. Olof secured two major wins and even became the best player at a tournament once. In addition, the Swede has five more MVP awards and $937,714 in prize money. Was the only player in the world to make the playoffs at all Majors until he was eliminated in the New Legends Stage of the StarLadder Berlin Major 2019, ending his streak at 14 in a row.
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- Freddy "KRIMZ" Johansson
KRIMZ is synonymous with fnatic, and fnatic is synonymous with KRIMZ. The Swede has been with the British organization for nearly a decade. Freddy represents stability and skill in the world of esports. Fun fact: KRIMZ holds the LAN record for the highest number of kills in regulation in one map with 44 against MIBR at ESL Pro League Season 10: Finals. He reached the playoffs of the first major and did the same at IEM Rio Major 2022. He has won two majors, received MVP honors five times at other tournaments, and earned $959,961.
- Andreas "Xyp9x" Højsleth
With four major victories and the title of "clutch minister" for his ability to turn situations in his favor, Danish genius Xyp9x will go down in CS:GO history as a symbol of intelligence and strategic mastery. His contributions to the game's development and exceptional decision-making abilities make him one of the greatest anchors in history. He even managed to win an MVP for his outstanding performance at IEM Katowice 2017. Andreas is one of two players on the list who have earned over two million dollars in prize money.
- Kenny "kennyS" Schrub
The French prodigy had a relatively short but highly successful career, during which he won a Major and received MVP recognition for his outstanding performance in it. Additionally, he was the best player in nine other tournaments. KennyS's ability to be unpredictable and execute incredible AWP flick shots has inspired many CS:GO fans. Kenny is the player with the most LAN AWP kills in CS:GO history (9259).
- Nikola "NiKo" Kovac
NiKo is considered one of the best riflers of the modern era. His arrival in any team immediately elevated them to the status of a consistent title contender. He won 13 major tournaments and received eight awards as the best player. The only thing that eluded him was a Major victory. The Bosnian played in the finals twice with different teams, but both times ended in disappointment. Nevertheless, NiKo managed to earn $1,292,069 in prize money, ranking 11th among all players in this regard.
- Dan "apEX" Madesclaire
apEX is one of the most emotional players known for his ability to win and lose loudly. He is associated with energy and aggressiveness in the world of CS:GO. However, this doesn't stop Dan from being an excellent captain and mentor to his younger teammates. The Frenchman has come a long way from his first Major victory at DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015 to the recent CS:GO Major BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023.
He changed his communication language to English without affecting his ability to lead and win trophies. In addition to Majors, apEX has 20 other trophies and $1,291,119 in prize money.
- Marcelo "coldzera" David
Coldzera is the first two-time Major MVP winner. Marcelo demonstrated his skills not only in Brazilian teams but also on the international stage. Together with FaZe, he won the BLAST Pro Series Copenhagen 2019, earning one of his eight MVP awards. Over time, coldzera transitioned from being a top fragger to a captain role with young Brazilians. Throughout his career, he earned $1,047,601 in prize money.
- Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut
A French ray of hope, ZywOo will remain in CS:GO history as a symbol of youthful talent and skill. His contributions to the game's development and individual achievements make him one of the biggest and brightest stars in the world of CS:GO. In just a few years, Mathieu has won 16 MVP awards and a Major championship title. At only 22, it's entirely possible that the best is yet to come for the French player.
- Finn "karrigan" Andersen
karrigan has been a crucial figure in several prominent teams, including Astralis, FaZe Clan, and MOUZ. Under his leadership, these teams achieved numerous titles and victories in international tournaments. He is known for his ability to adapt to different players and create effective strategies for his team, which allowed him to win 22 major tournaments and earn $1,646,752 in prize money.
- Lukas "gla1ve" Rossander
Gla1ve is the mastermind behind the most successful team in CS:GO history. His strategic genius led Astralis to four Major victories and 19 other successful tournaments. He is known for his ability to analyze the game and develop precise tactical plans for his team. Gla1ve has always been a leader who could change the course of a game and make the right decisions even in challenging situations. He also received an MVP award for IEM Beijing 2019 and earned $1,869,042 in prize money.
It is difficult to pin the greatest players on this list, as each of them has made a huge contribution to the CS:GO scene, not only on the server but also outside of it. However, we still want to recognize the five who stand first among equals.
- Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo
Gabriel's main contribution to the scene goes beyond his two majors, four MVPs, or $1,170,086 in prize money. What FalleN did most importantly was instill a love for CS in hundreds of thousands of Brazilian fans, which, over the years, elevated the local scene to the top and produced entire generations of talents.
- Emil "Magisk" Reif
Magisk is the youngest member of Astralis and joined the team later, resulting in one fewer Major win. Nevertheless, he excelled in the new environment without a drop in performance. After joining Vtality and switching to English communication, he won his fourth Major this year. Emil has two Best Player awards and $1,874,123 in prize money.
- Nicolai "dev1ce" Reedtz
The second-highest MVP winner with 19 awards, a two-time Major MVP, and a model of mastery and consistency. Dev1ce and his sniper skills played a crucial role in Astralis' success. His move to NIP immediately elevated the Swedish team's status. The same happened after his return to Astralis. Over his career, Nicolai earned $1,977,531 in prize money.
- Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev
The best player in CS:GO history. S1mple has won 21 Best Player awards, including the PGL Major Stockholm 2021, and achieved success in 14 S-tier LAN tournaments, earning $1,733,688 in prize money. Oleksandr’s outstanding gameplay and media presence have elevated CS:GO to new heights and attracted thousands of new players.
- Peter "dupreeh" Rasmussen
Dupreeh is the GOAT of the game. It can be said that he has conquered CS:GO by attending all 19 majors, winning five of them. Furthermore, the Dane has participated in 27 other significant tournaments, earning MVP honors twice. It's no wonder that dupreeh has earned the most prize money - $2,181,164.
Every esports fan shed tears during Peter's speech at the victorious IEM Katowice Major 2019, where he mentioned his father who passed away shortly before the tournament. In a few years, the Dane would miss the group stage of ESL Pro League Season 17 due to the birth of his own son. Just a few months later, he would win his fifth major.
We all experienced the pivotal moments in dupreeh's life along with him and witnessed his evolution into the greatest player in CS:GO history. He may have ended his story in this game on a not-so-high note, but there is no doubt that Peter has not yet spoken his final word in his career.
The world of CS:GO has been rich in talent and legendary players who have left their mark on the game's history. In this article, we have examined 30 remarkable personalities, each with their unique success story and incredible achievements.
From the French magician kennyS to the Ukrainian genius s1mple, from the Danish leader gla1ve to the Brazilian master coldzera, each of them has become a symbol of mastery and recognition on the world stage of CS:GO. These players are living legends, and their glory in the history of the game is eternal.
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