Best players 2022: Who to watch? Rating by SCOPE.GG

Tracking the competitive CS:GO landscape requires understanding which players consistently deliver exceptional performances and demonstrate unique skills worth studying. This comprehensive analysis examines both established superstars and emerging talents who are shaping the 2022 professional season.

Current Season Standouts

Professional Counter-Strike features an ever-evolving roster of exceptional talent, with certain players consistently outperforming expectations and demonstrating skills that warrant close observation.

When evaluating professional players, consider multiple factors beyond just kill-death ratios. Effective analysis includes examining their role execution, impact in crucial moments, adaptability across different opponents, and consistency throughout extended tournament runs.

Aleksandr s1mple Kostyliev (Natus Vincere)

HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/7998/s1mple

The reigning world’s best player from 2021 continues demonstrating why he’s considered among the greatest of all time. Despite Natus Vincere facing organizational challenges throughout 2022, Aleksandr’s individual brilliance secured their second-place finish at PGL Major Antwerp and subsequent Blast Premier Spring victory. His statistical dominance across multiple tournaments confirms his relentless pursuit of competitive excellence.

Rating 2.0 – 1.33

ADR – 86.9

Role – AWP

Maps played – 47

Best tournament – ESL Pro League Season 15 (1.44)

Upcoming tournaments: Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

Player’s socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/s1mpleo

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/s1mple

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s1mpleo/

Dmitry sh1ro Sokolov (Cloud9)

HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/16920/sh1ro

Cloud9’s emerging star established himself as the cornerstone of his team’s success throughout the previous competitive year. While the squad experienced performance fluctuations ranging from IEM Dallas victory to disappointing Major results, sh1ro maintained exceptional individual performance levels regardless of team outcomes.

Rating 2.0 – 1.26

ADR – 76.8

Role – AWP

Maps played – 49

Best tournament – ESL Pro League Season 15 (1.35)

Upcoming tournaments  – no info

Player’s socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sh1rocsgo

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/sh1r0_cs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sh1rocsgo/

Nikola NiKo Kovač (G2 eSports)

HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/3741/niko

No comprehensive professional player analysis excludes Nikola’s contributions. Despite organizational turbulence and roster speculation surrounding G2, NiKo consistently maintains elite positioning across numerous individual performance metrics.

His remarkable consistency and exceptional mechanical skill create intimidation factors that opponents must constantly account for in their strategic preparations.

Rating 2.0 – 1.20

ADR – 86.7

Role – Rifler

Maps played – 59

Best tournament – Blast Premier Spring 2022 (1.29)

Upcoming tournaments  – Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

Player’s socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/G2NiKo

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/NiKo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csgoniko/

Martin stavn Lund (Heroic)

HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/10994/stavn

Martin and Heroic frequently receive underestimation within the competitive community, with few analysts ranking them among global elite contenders. Historically perceived as secondary-tier competitors, the Danish squad has progressively elevated their standing through consistent playoff appearances at premier tournaments. Stavn serves as the primary success driver for his team – this emerging rifler demonstrates extraordinary results against diverse opposition levels.

Rating 2.0 – 1.20

ADR – 86.2

Role – Rifler

Maps played – 34

Best tournament – IEM Katowice 2022 (1.23)

Upcoming tournaments – Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

Player’s socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stavnCS

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/stavnmagi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stavncs/

Benjamin blameF Bremer (Astralis)

HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/15165/blamef

Following the dissolution of Astralis’ championship roster, Danish competitive Counter-Strike entered a rebuilding phase. While current Danish lineups lack championship-caliber consistency, the region continues producing exceptional individual talent.

Benjamin has consistently performed at elevated levels compared to peers with similar experience. His integration into Astralis maintained this performance pattern, with blameF continuing to lead the squad strategically. The additions of blameF and k0nfig facilitated the Danish team’s consistent playoff qualifications.

Rating 2.0 – 1.19

ADR – 86.6

Role – Rifler

Maps played – 36

Best tournament – ESL Pro League Season 15 (1.23)

Upcoming tournaments  – Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

Player’s socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blameFFFFF

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/blameF

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminbremer/

Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut (Team Vitality)

HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/11893/zywoo

The French scene’s premier talent necessarily appears in our evaluation. Mathieu’s statistical decline stems from understandable factors: transitioning to English communication within an international roster created additional cognitive load affecting situational awareness and elimination efficiency. While adaptation progress occurs, communication challenges persist, impacting team results.

Industry expectations suggest Vitality may return to French-language communication. Should this occur, ZywOo will likely reclaim his position among statistical leaders.

Rating 2.0 – 1.18

ADR – 77.6

Role – AWP

Maps played – 48

Best tournament – Blast Premier Spring 2022 (1.27)

Upcoming tournaments  – Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

Player’s socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zywoo

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/cs_zywoo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cs_zywoo/

Maximize Your Learning from Professional Play

Observing elite CS:GO competitors provides invaluable learning opportunities when approached systematically. Focus on specific elements during match viewing to extract maximum educational value from professional performances.

Viewing Strategy 1: Role-Specific Observation
When watching players who share your preferred role, concentrate on their positioning habits, utility usage patterns, and decision-making processes during various game states. Notice how professionals adapt their approaches based on economic situations, opponent tendencies, and map control dynamics.

Viewing Strategy 2: Economic Decision Analysis
Professional matches demonstrate optimal economic management. Track how elite players adjust their purchasing decisions based on team economy, round importance, and opponent buying patterns.

Viewing Strategy 3: Utility Usage Patterns
Advanced grenade usage separates elite competitors. Observe how professionals combine utility with positioning to create advantageous engagements.

For comprehensive strategic development, consult our Complete Guide to understanding professional decision-making frameworks.

Common Analytical Mistakes to Avoid:

• Focusing exclusively on highlight plays rather than consistent decision-making
• Ignoring team coordination elements in favor of individual mechanics
• Overlooking economic decision-making in favor of combat performance

  Understanding professional weapon selection and equipment choices can significantly improve your own gameplay. Our Weapons Unlock guide provides detailed weapon analysis that complements professional observation.

  Advanced players should also study our Class Guide for role-specific development pathways.

  Welcome to our comprehensive analysis of the current CS:GO professional landscape. This guide examines both established superstars and emerging talents who are shaping the competitive meta. Understanding these players’ strengths and career trajectories provides valuable insights for both spectators and aspiring competitors looking to improve their own gameplay.

  The professional Counter-Strike scene continues to evolve with new talent emerging through academy systems while veteran players maintain their dominance through refined skills and experience. We’ll explore what makes these individuals stand out and how their performances impact team success.

  Aleksandr s1mple Kostyliev (Natus Vincere)

  

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/7998/s1mple

  The reigning CS:GO superstar continues to deliver breathtaking performances that redefine competitive excellence. Despite facing organizational challenges throughout 2022, Aleksandr’s individual brilliance propelled Na’Vi to secure second place at the PGL Major Antwerp, followed by a decisive victory at Blast Premier Spring. His statistical dominance speaks volumes about his relentless pursuit of perfection in the game.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.33

  ADR – 86.9

  Role – AWP

  Maps played – 47

  Best tournament – ESL Pro League Season 15 (1.44)

  Upcoming tournaments: Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/s1mpleo

  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/s1mple

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s1mpleo/

  Dmitry sh1ro Sokolov (Cloud9)

  

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/16920/sh1ro

  This exceptional talent from Cloud9 (formerly Gambit) emerged as the cornerstone of his team’s dominance throughout 2021. While the roster has faced consistency challenges, transitioning from their recent IEM Dallas victory to a disappointing top 12-14 finish at the Major. Throughout Cloud9’s most difficult periods, sh1ro maintained outstanding individual performance levels consistently reflected in his impressive statistics.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.26

  ADR – 76.8

  Role – AWP

  Maps played – 49

  Best tournament – ESL Pro League Season 15 (1.35)

  Upcoming tournaments  – no info

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sh1rocsgo

  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/sh1r0_cs

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sh1rocsgo/

  Martin stavn Lund (Heroic)

  

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/10994/stavn

  Martin and Heroic frequently face underestimation within the competitive community, with many failing to recognize their position among global elite teams. Historically, viewers categorized the Danish squad as tier-2 competitors, but recent developments have shifted perceptions significantly. Heroic now consistently advances to playoff stages of major tournaments repeatedly while securing respectable placements. Stavn serves as the primary catalyst for his team’s achievements – this young rifler demonstrates extraordinary results while dismantling opponents across all competitive levels.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.20

  ADR – 86.2

  Role – Rifler

  Maps played – 34

  Best tournament – IEM Katowice 2022 (1.23)

  Upcoming tournaments – Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/stavnCS

  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/stavnmagi

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stavncs/

  Nikola NiKo Kovač (G2 eSports)

  

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/3741/niko

  No comprehensive list of elite performers would be complete without his inclusion. Despite organizational fluctuations and various rumors surrounding G2, you can confidently expect NiKo to consistently rank among the highest positions across various individual performance metrics.

  Nikola’s remarkable consistency and devastating precision instill genuine apprehension among opposing players.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.20

  ADR – 86.7

  Role – Rifler

  Maps played – 59

  Best tournament – Blast Premier Spring 2022 (1.29)

  Upcoming tournaments  – Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/G2NiKo

  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/NiKo

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csgoniko/

  Benjamin blameF Bremer (Astralis)

  

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/15165/blamef

  Following the dissolution of Astralis’ championship-winning lineup, the Danish competitive landscape has encountered significant challenges. Currently, no regional teams demonstrate genuine championship aspirations or consistent winning capabilities. However, the nation’s talent pool remains robust, providing substantial evidence that Danish organizations will soon regain international competitiveness.

  From his competitive debut, blameF has operated at an elevated tier compared to players of similar experience levels, as evidenced by statistical analysis. His transition to Astralis maintained this trajectory: Benjamin continues leading the squad’s performance metrics. With the acquisitions of blameF and k0nfig, the Danish lineup began consistently reaching tournament playoff stages. The critical question remains whether Astralis will secure victory in upcoming competitive events.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.19

  ADR – 86.6

  Role – Rifler

  Maps played – 36

  Best tournament – ESL Pro League Season 15 (1.23)

  Upcoming tournaments  – Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/blameFFFFF

  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/blameF

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminbremer/

  Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut (Team Vitality)

  

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/11893/zywoo

  The French scene’s premier superstar unquestionably belongs on our featured list. Mathieu’s significant rating decline finds clear explanation: transitioning to English communication within Vitality’s international roster created substantial challenges for the sniper regarding map awareness and elimination opportunities. While gradual adaptation appears evident, communication barriers persist currently, directly impacting team results.

  The competitive community widely anticipates Vitality’s potential return to an exclusively French-speaking lineup. Should this transition occur, ZywOo will undoubtedly reclaim his position among rating leaders.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.18

  ADR – 77.6

  Role – AWP

  Maps played – 48

  Best tournament – Blast Premier Spring 2022 (1.27)

  Upcoming tournaments  – Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/zywoo

  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/cs_zywoo

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cs_zywoo/

  Fredrik REZ Sterner (Ninjas in Pyjamas)

  

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/9278/rez

  REZ and the complete NiP organization maintain consistent competitive relevance: we’ve grown accustomed to seeing their presence among tier-1 teams, though rarely exceeding this classification. The team consistently operates within global top-10 rankings, while Fredrik previously attempted HLTV individual rating inclusion without success.

  During 2022, the Ninjas experienced significant competitive advancement: the roster dramatically improved performance while establishing consistent victory patterns. REZ powerfully reaffirmed his capabilities as an exceptionally skilled competitor. The crucial question remains whether the Swedish player can sustain this performance level throughout the remaining competitive season.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.18

  ADR – 81.2

  Role – Rifler

  Maps played – 42

  Best tournament – ESL Pro League Season 15 (1.26)

  Upcoming tournaments  – Blast Premier Fall 2022 (August 19-28)

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/REZcsgo

  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/rezcsgo

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rezcsgo/

  Fredrik roeJ Jørgensen (CPH Flames, fnatic)

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/14419/roej

  Fredrik demonstrates remarkable performance considering his veteran status within the competitive scene. His exceptional talent discovery enabled previously unknown Copenhagen Flames to achieve remarkable success, introducing Fredrik to global Counter-Strike enthusiasts.

  The Danish competitor embarked on a significant career advancement by joining fnatic alongside nicoodoz, his previous teammate. While his adaptation to the new organization remains ongoing, we confidently anticipate the experienced player maintaining significant competitive influence.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.18

  ADR – 86.7

  Role – Rifler

  Maps played – 127

  Best tournament – Pelaajat Nordic Masters Spring 2022 (1.41)

  Upcoming tournaments  – ESL Pro League Season 16 (August 31 – October 2)

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/roejcsgo

  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/roejcsgo

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fredroej/

  Ádám torzsi Torzsás (MOUZ)

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/18072/torzsi

  The MOUZ NXT academy program graduate exemplifies how development systems represent CS:GO’s competitive future. MOUZ cultivated an elite sniper internally without requiring transfer market investments. Ádám demonstrates premium performance levels immediately upon main roster integration while continuously refining his capabilities. The organization effectively resolved their previous sniper deficiency. Earlier, acoR represented a performance liability within the European lineup, creating challenges during premier tournaments – the sniper position remains critically important.

  MOUZ maintained limited presence at tier-1 competitions previously, creating substantial anticipation regarding the Hungarian sniper’s competitive demonstration.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.15

  ADR – 73.0

  Role – AWP

  Maps played – 78

  Best tournament – Roobet Cup 2022 (1.26)

  Upcoming tournaments  – ESL Pro League Season 16 (August 31 – October 2)

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/torzsics

  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/torzsics

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torzsasadam/

  Ivan iM Mihai (GamerLegion)

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/14759/im

  The Romanian prospect competed for Nexus organization throughout recent seasons while surpassing their competitive level. Currently, similar development patterns emerge. There exists strong perception that iM warrants opportunity demonstrating capabilities against global elite competition, though GamerLegion struggles reaching this competitive tier.

  Recent speculation regarding roster modifications and potential acquisitions of TMB and regali might alter current circumstances.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.15

  ADR – 84.0

  Role – Rifler

  Maps played – 106

  Best tournament – ESL Challenger League Season 40 (1.26)

  Upcoming tournaments  – no info

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/iMeCSGO

  Twitch: –

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imihai29/

  Dion FASHR Derksen (ECSTATIC)

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/11954/fashr

  The representative from Netherlands, an uncommon nationality among professional competitors, emerged as genuine online era discovery during 2021. FASHR’s extraordinary consistency and performance enabled previously unknown ECSTATIC to achieve HLTV top-16 ranking.

  ECSTATIC hasn’t established significant presence at premier tournaments yet, while their competitive results deteriorated recently (primarily due to forced Wolfy replacement and trace’s coaching departure).

  Rating 2.0 – 1.19

  ADR – 84.3

  Role – Rifler

  Maps played – 133

  Best tournament – Funspark ULTI 2021 Finals (1.32)

  Upcoming tournaments  – no info

  Player’s socials:

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/itsfashr

  Twitch: – https://www.twitch.tv/itsFashR

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsfashr/

  Denis deko Zhukov (1WIN)

  HLTV: https://www.hltv.org/player/20113/deko

  Throughout the past competitive year, Denis became extensively discussed among CIS region CS:GO enthusiasts. The young sniper demonstrates exceptional tournament performance while setting elevated standards within FPL (UPDATE: recent roster removal occurred). The fostar substitution with lollipop21k revitalized the lineup’s competitive potential. This represents the opportunity deko has long deserved through his outstanding gameplay.

  We must acknowledge this represents uncommon circumstances where transferring an exceeding-talent player appears improbable: 1WIN maintains substantial financial resources making star player release unlikely.

  Rating 2.0 – 1.19

  ADR – 79.7

  Role – AWP

  Maps played – 92

  Best tournament – Pinnacle Winter Series 1 (1.24)

  Upcoming tournaments – no info

  Player’s socials:

  Twitch: – https://www.twitch.tv/dek0cs

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dekocsoff

  Understanding player development patterns provides crucial insights for competitive strategy formulation. The transition from academy systems to main rosters demonstrates effective talent development strategies employed by organizations like MOUZ. These systems allow teams to cultivate specialized talent without significant financial investments in transfer markets.

  Team dynamics significantly influence individual performance metrics. Players transitioning between organizations often face adaptation periods where communication styles, strategic approaches, and team chemistry require development. These transitional phases significantly impact both individual statistics and team performance outcomes.

  Upcoming tournaments present critical opportunities for both established stars and rising contenders to demonstrate their capabilities. Events like ESL Pro League Season 16 and Blast Premier Fall 2022 will test these players’ abilities to perform under pressure against elite competition.

  For players looking to improve their own gameplay, studying these professionals’ techniques, positioning decisions, and in-game decision-making processes provides valuable learning opportunities. Consider analyzing their gameplay through our Complete Guide to competitive improvement strategies.

  Action Checklist

  • Watch s1mple’s positioning and angle selection as AWP for advanced sniper techniques
  • Analyze sh1ro’s consistency across different tournament formats and opponent levels
  • Study stavn’s rifling approaches against various team styles
  • Track NiKo’s crosshair placement and movement mechanics during engagements
  • Monitor upcoming tournaments featuring these players to observe their current form and adaptation to meta changes
  • Analyze player statistics and performance trends using HLTV data
  • Study specific player techniques and positioning through match demos and highlight reels
  • Follow players on social media for insights into training routines and competitive mindset
  • Implement observed strategies into your own gameplay while adapting them to your skill level

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