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Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a game that has gained worldwide fame and has become the foundation of professional eSports. Over the years, players from all over 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 is waiting for us, which will write a new history and discover new stars.
We will take a look at the top 30 players, taking into account their achievements, impact on the game and rise to popularity. Fans remember not only their outstanding performances on the server, but also the countless stories associated with their careers and lives. There is no order to the list, all of these 30 players are true CS:GO legends.
This article is dedicated to 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 highlight the greatest players who not only remained at the top of CS:GO, but also had a significant impact on the development of the discipline and eSports in general.
30. Ladislav “GuardiaN” Kovac
A three-time Major finalist and winner of eight tournament MVP awards, GuardiaN has played for a variety of teams in different environments, but has always been known for his professionalism and ability to remain calm in critical situations. The Slovak has won 17 trophies and earned $802,435. In CS2, he briefly joined BC.Game, but without much success.
29. Keith “NAF” Markovich
It seems like NAF has always been around the professional scene. He played for Liquid for a long time, but also OpTic and Renegades in his career. The Canadian has won 11 major tournaments, but has never made it past the semifinals of a Major. NAF also has five MVP awards and $1,222,882 in prize money.
28. Richard “shox” Papillon
Shox has played for all the top French teams in his career, and in recent years has even joined Liquid and Apeks. With each of his teams, he has demonstrated incredible efficiency in clutches, often winning hopeless odds. Richard has participated in 17 Majors, winning one. He also has 16 wins in other LAN tournaments, which has earned him 4 MVP awards. CS:GO has earned him $829,499 in prize money.
27. Danylo “Zeus” Teslenko
Zeus is synonymous with the phrase “legendary captain.” Danilo has been a fixture in the CS:GO world for almost eight years. He has competed in dozens of major LAN tournaments, 17 of which were successful. The NAVI legend led the organization to the top, but ironically, he won his only Major with another team, Gambit, at PGL Major Krakow 2017. He also became the first player to reach the Major finals with two different teams. Zeus has won $689,568 in prize money in his career.
26. Jaroslaw “pashabiceps” Jarząbkowski
When it comes to iconic CS:GO players, pashabiceps will always be on the list. His impressive physical strength and colorful personality have made him one of the most famous figures in the history of esports. With him, Virtus.pro won a series of prestigious trophies, including victory at EMS One Katowice 2014, which was a significant moment in the career of pashabiceps and the entire team. For the victory at the Major, the Pole received one of his three MVP awards. In total, Jarosław participated in over a hundred major tournaments, winning 13 first places and earning $578,384 in CS:GO. After finishing his career, he did not become a coach, but took up martial arts. Despite this, he can often be seen at various esports events.
25. Philip “NEO” Kubsky
NEO was a legend and arguably the best player in CS 1.6. In CS:GO, he continued his dominance and fought for victories with the Polish roster at every tournament he entered. He is ranked higher than pashabiceps because he demonstrated his high level not only with Virtus.pro but also with FaZe, where he reached the Major final and took second place at BLAST Pro Series Los Angeles 2019. This organization was his first coaching position. In CS:GO, he received two MVP awards and earned $617,331. Since July 2023, he has been the head coach of FaZe.
24. Janusz “Snax” Pogorzelski
Snax, like the two previous players, joined 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 retire. After several years of playing for various Polish teams, he moved to Counter-Strike 2 as part of the respected GamerLegion team. Later, he was even invited to G2, where he remains to this day. In CS:GO, he has won 14 trophies, seven MVP awards, and $676,887 in prize money.
23. Jackie “Stewie2K” Yip
Stewie2K has always been synonymous with ambition and recognition in the CS:GO world. He became an ambassador for the American esports scene and a player who helped change the perception of professional esports in the US. He led Cloud9 to a historic victory at the ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, becoming the only American team to win a Major. He followed that up with Liquid and the fastest Intel Grand Slam win in history, helping Stewie2K earn $1,186,573 in his career. He has focused more on streaming in recent years, but returned last year to help G2 win IEM Dallas 2024.
22. Jesper “JW” Weksel
JW gained recognition in the global eSports community as a member of Fnatic. It was with this team that he won three Majors and 22 other major tournaments. He received one of his three MVP awards at DreamHack Winter 2013. Jesper had a unique aggressive playstyle with an AWP that was difficult to adapt to, which allowed him to dominate the scene for a long time. The Swede continues to play for EYEBALLERS and may even increase his prize money ($919,994) to a million.
21. Nathan “NBK-” Schmitt
He has always been a player who can fill various roles in a team, be it an important fragger, a strategist or a leader. This versatility makes NBK- a reliable player for any team. He has been involved in many historic victories and has always been recognized for his contribution to the development of French esports. He has won 24 events, including two Majors, received four MVP awards and earned $842,358. In CS2, he tried to find himself in different teams, but so far nothing has worked out. NBK- even took the position of analyst at BLAST Open Spring 2025.
20. Patrick “f0rest” Lindberg
With his influence on the game and longevity in the world of esports, f0rest, representing the “old guard” of professional players, remains a living legend and an inspiration to the new generation. His contributions to the game and high level of professionalism make him an unforgettable figure in the history of CS:GO. Patrik dominated with NIP in the early game and is now looking for a team to try his hand at Counter-Strike 2. f0rest has won 24 trophies, eight MVP awards and $571,133 in prize money. He is one of three players who has been a permanent member of all three historical Swedish teams Ninjas in Pyjamas, SK Gaming and Fnatic.
19. Russell “Twistzz” Van Dulken
Twistzz is only 25 years old, but he has already made his mark on Counter-Strike history. He initially had an incredibly successful period with Liquid, during which he won multiple tournaments and the Intel Grand Slam Season 2. After that, he moved to Europe to win several more events with FaZe, including the PGL Major Antwerp 2022. In 2023, Russell became the first player to win two Intel Grand Slam seasons. His CS:GO accomplishments include two MVP awards and $1,541,793 in prize money. He currently plays for Liquid and even tried out for IGL for about a year.
18. Howard “rain” Nygaard
Rain is the epitome of consistency. The Norwegian has been with FaZe for over nine years, on a team of all-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 MVP. At the age of 27 years and eight months, he became the oldest MVP in the history of these tournaments. In addition, Rain has two more MVP awards and $1,439,216 in prize money.
17. Robin “flusha” Ronnqvist
Due to his amazing performances, Robin was often called a cheater, even professional players could not believe that the Swede could play so well. Flusha is known for his skillful gameplay and ability to analyze situations on the map. His ability to make important and unexpected decisions helped fnatic win three Majors. At ESL One: Cologne 2015, flusha received one of his four MVP awards. During his career, he has earned $887,302 in prize money.
16. Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund
GeT_RiGhT boasts 10 MVP awards and 24 major events to his credit. He is fourth in the MVP awards. Christopher is not just a player, but a legend who will forever remain in the history of CS:GO. His contributions to the game and innovative tactical approach make him the most influential figure in the history of esports. He has won $522,015 in his CS:GO career. The second player to have played for all three historic Swedish teams Ninjas in Pyjamas, SK Gaming, and Fnatic.
15. Olof “olofmeister” Kaibjer Gustafsson
Olofmeister is known for his high level of skill and ability to win key 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 has won two Majors and even won the tournament’s MVP award once. In addition, the Swede has five more MVP awards and $937,714 in prize money. He was the only player in the world to reach the playoffs at every Major until he was eliminated in the New Legends Stage at the StarLadder Berlin Major 2019, ending his streak at 14 in a row.
14. Freddie “KRIMZ” Johansson
KRIMZ is synonymous with fnatic, and fnatic is synonymous with KRIMZ. The Swede has been with the UK organization for over a decade. Freddy represents consistency and skill in the world of esports. Fun fact: KRIMZ holds the LAN record for most kills in a single round with 44 against MIBR at the ESL Pro League Season 10: Finals. He made the playoffs of the first Major and did the same at the IEM Rio Major 2022. He has won two Majors, received MVP awards five times at other tournaments, and earned $959,961.
13. Andreas “Xyp9x” Hoisleth
With four Major wins and the title of “Minister of Clutch” for his ability to turn situations to his advantage, Danish genius Xyp9x will go down in CS:GO history as a symbol of intelligence and strategic mastery. His contributions to the game and exceptional decision-making abilities make him one of the greatest anchors in history. He even managed to win MVP for his outstanding performance at IEM Katowice 2017. Andreas is one of only two players on the list to have earned over $2 million in prize money. Xyp9x is currently retired from playing and serves as an assistant coach at MOUZ.
12. Nikola “NiKo” Kovač
NiKo is considered one of the best marksmen in CS:GO today. His arrival in any team immediately elevated them to the level of a constant title contender. He won 13 major tournaments and received eight MVP awards. The only thing that eluded him was a victory at a Major. 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. After more than four years in G2, he finally moved to Falcons to build his era in CS2.
11. Dan “apEX” Madesclere
apEX is one of the most emotional players, known for his ability to win and lose loudly. He is associated with energy and aggression in the CS:GO world. However, this does not stop Danu from being an excellent captain and mentor for 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 BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023. He changed the language of communication to English, without affecting his ability to lead and win trophies. In addition to the Major, apEX has 20 other trophies and $1,291,119 in prize money. In CS2, apEX is once again building on his IGL legacy, assembling new Vitality rosters and leading them to titles.
10. Kenny “kennyS” Schrab
The French prodigy had a relatively short but very successful career, during which he won a Major and received the MVP award for his outstanding performance in it. In addition, he was the best player in nine other tournaments. KennyS’ ability to be unpredictable and perform incredible AWP shots has inspired many CS:GO fans. Kenny is the player with the most AWP kills on LAN in CS:GO history (9,259).
9. Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
A French beacon of hope, ZywOo will go down in CS:GO history as a symbol of young talent and skill. His contributions to the game and his individual achievements make him one of the biggest and brightest stars in the CS:GO world. In just a few years, Mathieu has won 16 MVP awards and a Major title. At just 24 years old, the best may yet be ahead for the French player. In CS2, he is keeping up the pace and earning more titles and MVP awards to become the best CS2 player.
8. Marcelo “coldzera” David
Coldzera is the first two-time Major MVP winner. Marcelo has shown his skills not only in Brazilian teams, but also on the international stage. He won BLAST Pro Series Copenhagen 2019 with FaZe, earning one of his eight MVP awards. Over time, coldzera has transitioned from being a top fragger to a captain with the young Brazilians. He has earned $1,047,601 in prize money during his career. Now with RED Canids, his career is far from its peak, but coldzera is still competing and trying to reach another Major.
7. Finn “karrigan” Andersen
karrigan has been a key figure in several notable teams including Astralis, FaZe Clan and MOUZ. Under his leadership, these teams have 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 has allowed him to win 22 major tournaments and earn $1,646,752 in prize money. In CS2, he has not lost his gaming instincts and after two Major finals, he is trying to build a new FaZe team.
6. Лукас “gla1ve” Россандер
Gla1ve is the mastermind of 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 the game and make the right decisions even in difficult situations. He also received the MVP award for IEM Beijing 2019 and earned $1,869,042 in prize money.
Now, in ENCE, he has a young team and even won a LAN trophy with them – Elisa Masters Espoo 2024. More success is yet to come, but Lucas is doing everything he can to return to the tier 1 level.
5. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo
Gabriel’s main contribution to the scene goes beyond his two Majors, four MVPs, or $1,170,086 in prize money. The most important thing FalleN has done is to instill a love for CS in hundreds of thousands of Brazilian fans, which has elevated the local scene to the top over the years and spawned generations of talent.
His play in CS2 is far from his peak, he even abandoned the AWP in FURIA to become a marksman IGL and give a young talent the opportunity to sni. We can also see him building a new English-language FURIA, which is another challenge for the legend.
4. Emil “Magisk” Reif
Magisk is the youngest member of Astralis and joined the team later, which resulted in one less Major win. However, he has excelled in his new environment without any performance slump. After joining Vitality and switching to English, he won his fourth Major this year. Emil has two MVP awards and $1,874,123 in prize money. He is currently part of the Falcons super team, but his performances have not always lived up to the organization’s ambitions.
3. Nikolay “dev1ce” Ridtz
The second most decorated MVP with 19 awards, a two-time Major MVP, and a model of skill and consistency. Dev1ce and his sniping skills have played a key role in Astralis’ success. His move to NIP immediately elevated the Swedish team’s status. The same happened after his return to Astralis. Nikolay has earned $1,977,531 in career prize money.
2. Alexander “s1mple” Kostylev
The best player in CS:GO history. S1mple has won 21 MVP awards, including PGL Major Stockholm 2021, and has been successful in 14 S-tier LAN tournaments, earning $1,733,688 in prize money. Alexander’s outstanding play and media presence have taken CS:GO to new heights and attracted thousands of new players. After the release of CS2, he took a break from his career and only had two short stints with the Falcons, which were far from successful.
1. Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen
Dupreeh is the GOAT of the game. You could say he conquered CS:GO, having attended all 19 Majors, winning five of them. Moreover, the Dane has participated in 27 other significant tournaments, winning MVP awards twice. It is no surprise that dupreeh has earned the most prize money – $2,181,164.
Every esports fan shed tears during Peter’s speech at the IEM Katowice Major 2019 victory, where he mentioned his father, who passed away shortly before the tournament. A few years later, the Dane would miss the ESL Pro League Season 17 group stage due to the birth of his own son. Just a few months later, he would win his fifth Major.
We all lived through key moments in dupreeh’s life with him and watched his evolution into the greatest CS:GO player in history. He may not have finished his story in this game on the highest note, but he is still trying to come back to CS2.
The world of CS:GO has been rich in talent and legendary players who have left their mark on the history of the game. In this article, we looked at 30 outstanding individuals, each with their own unique success story and incredible achievements.
From French mage kennyS to Ukrainian genius s1mple, from Danish leader gla1ve to Brazilian master coldzera, each of them became a symbol of skill and recognition on the global CS:GO stage. These players are living legends, and their glory in the history of the game is eternal.
