Top CS:GO Pro Teams and Players - 2023

The game's explosive growth is fueled by its competitive nature, gameplay, and increasing prize money. As the viewership numbers continue to soar, so does the number of professional teams and players who have joined the ranks of this competitive arena.

It’s a diverse and exhilarating landscape, with the CS: GO top 10 teams climbing and falling in the rankings with each passing contest. Today, CS: GO is one of the most valuable esports titles in the world, and millions well and truly love it. Most teams on this list have been competing in CS: GO for many years, and they’re instantly recognizable. However, some of them are a little newer, and they still have plenty to prove in the space.

Calculating a Player’s Rating

Evaluating a player's performance in a CS:GO match is a complex task, as each round has unique aspects, such as setting up a bomb or the first kill. Therefore, the best approach is to calculate a cyber athlete's rating for each round and get an overall score for the entire map.

Top 20 CS:GO Players in the First Half of 2023

Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut

ZywOo is an incomparable and outstanding player who has left his opponents far behind. No other professional players come close to his performance. ZywOo has rightfully held the first place among professional CS: GO players for two consecutive months. This confirms his exceptional gaming skills and unmatched talent.

He is the only esports player who has received the MVP title twice in the first half of 2023. Firstly, the French sniper became the best player at IEM Rio 2023, where his performance was simply astonishing and crucial to his team's success.

And then, he became the MVP at BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, the home and final Major in CS: GO history. His superior skill and impact on the game were unquestionable. ZywOo is a unique player who continues to prove himself as one of the best players in history.

Robin Ropz Kool

Ropz is one of the most consistent and impressive players in FaZe Clan. In March, Kool was named the Player of the Month.

The Estonian esports player also became the Most Valuable Player at ESL Pro League Season 17, where he shined with his performance and played a crucial role in the team's championship title.

Jakob Jabbi Nygaard

Jabbi emerged as the undisputed leader and best player of the Heroic team in the first half of 2023. His ability to make the right decisions in critical situations has been a key factor in the team's success.

Naijgaard was awarded the MVP title at BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2023 and was twice recognized as EVP at IEM Katowice 2023 and IEM Rio 2023.

Helvijs Broky Saukants

Broky is one of the key players in FaZe Clan. His talent, skill, and consistency make him an irreplaceable asset to the team. In the past season, Saukants was recognized as one of the top players in three major championships - BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2023, BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, and IEM Dallas 2023.

He stood out among strong competitors, significantly contributing to the team's victories. Players’ fans can bet on their favorites by exploring the best online sportsbooks now that Esports are thriving in popularity.

Martin Stavn Lund

The talent and consistent performance of Stavn are admired by many. He is a shining example of a player who continues to improve and demonstrate a high level of gameplay over an extended period. His two well-deserved EVP awards were at IEM Rio 2023 and BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 is a clear confirmation of his talent and impact on his team's performance.

Lotan Spinx Giladi

Spinx and his journey to the top of the professional CS: GO scene serve as an inspiration to anyone facing difficulties in striving to achieve their goals. Three years ago, he was excluded from FPL, a serious blow to his career. However, he didn't give up and continued to work on his skills and gameplay. After joining Team Vitality, Giladi immediately became an essential part of the lineup.

At the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, the Israeli esports player demonstrated his potential and contributed to the team's championship. This is a remarkable success, considering his past challenges. His performance at the tournament was outstanding, and he became an integral part of a team capable of overcoming difficulties and reaching the highest peaks.

Best CS: GO Teams in the World in 2023

When it first launched in 2012, CS: GO almost immediately became an international sensation. Counter-Strike had built a firm foundation as a franchise, but CS: GO would truly become a global masterpiece. In the years that followed, countless professional Counter-Strike teams entered the space, and today, hundreds are battling it out.

Team Vitality

After many exhausting and fruitless CS: GO tournaments, Team Vitality has done it: the org has won its first CS: GO Major, fittingly, on its French soil. Mathieu “⁠ZywOo” Herbaut rose to the occasion by becoming the event’s MVP and fulfilled many expectations that have been building up since he became a CS superstar.

In 2023 alone, Team Vitality had a stunning win rate of 77.5%, even though they only fought high-caliber Tier 1 teams like G2, NaVi, and Heroic. Going into the Paris Major, the team has a 2-series win streak, which they would extend to 8, culminating in an undefeated run in the tournament—not losing a single map in the playoffs.

Heroic

Most Heroic have been playing together since early 2020, with Rasmus Sjuush Beck and Jakob “Jabbi” Nygaard joining only in early 2021 and mid-2022. Considering how much they’ve accomplished in the many months leading to the Paris Major, it’s safe to assume they have one of the most effective chemistries in the league—honed from hundreds of maps.

Not to mention, each player’s rating is through the roof, which is a clear sign that everyone’s carrying their weight. Even under pressure during high-stakes matches, the team’s masterful mechanical skills and coherent execution allow them to keep coming out on top.

G2

The team has recently been dubbed the most entertaining of all CS: GO pro teams, although that’s only half the truth. Over the last few months, G2 has also been one of the most dominating teams in the game, winning the 2022 BLAST Premier: World Final and the 2023 IEM Katowice shortly after.

They left the Paris Major prematurely, but their loss to Bad News Eagles and Fnatic were two of the biggest upsets in the entire event. G2 not making it to the playoffs simply wasn’t supposed to happen, not when they had the highest win rate going into the event (78%) and certainly not when they had strong momentum behind their backs.

Conclusion

Each of these esports players has had a significant impact on their teams and showcased unique gaming skills. Their achievements and importance in the world of CS:GO highlight their status and influence within their respective lineups. Fans hope that with the transition to Counter-Strike 2, their contributions to the professional scene will continue to grow.