Top CS2 Players H1 2026: m0NESY Leads Best Counter-Strike Stars

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To recap a record-breaking H1 2026, has listed the five best Counter-Strike players from the first half of the year. This list is subjective, and these players were picked based on their influence during matches and on their teams as a whole, rather than on viewership metrics or simple KDA stats. As a result, some players might boast high ratings, while others made the cut based more on their intangible impact on team results.

Best Counter-Strike esports players in H1 2026

Before we kick off the list, here are a few honorable mentions:

Sh1ro

Dmitriy " Sh1ro " Sokolov has been one of the best Team Spirit players this year, and he ended the IEM Cologne Major 2026 with his 26th big event Exceptionally Valuable Player (EVP) award, putting him fourth on the all-time list. The aim for the rest of the year will be to convert this consistency into more trophy-winning moments, especially when the second Major of the season rolls around.

FalleN

In his last year as a Counter-Strike pro, Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo has been trying to enjoy every event he participates in. He has also been crucial to FURIA's good performances in H1 2026, with the Brazilian favorite finishing on the podium multiple times, including Cologne. Whether he can sign off a legendary career by finally clinching a third Major a decade after winning his first two trophies remains to be seen.

HeavyGod

G2 Esports have not enjoyed the best of runs in the first half of the year, but it is through no fault of its Nikita " ⁠HeavyGod⁠ " Martynenko. The Rifler has maintained his place among the highest-rated players in H1 2026, ending the period with an EVP win at the IEM Cologne Major 2026.

#5 karrigan

Before the record-breaking IEM Cologne Major 2026 , Finn "⁠ karrigan " Andersen had not had the best of times in recent years. His time with FaZe Clan ended in poor results, including finishing bottom at the PGL Bucharest 2026 , and the side's failure to qualify for the German Major was the final nail in the coffin for the star in-game leader.

Karrigan and Niko finally won a Major together almost ten years after heartbreak with FaZe Clan (Image via Karrigan on X)

These spiralling performances were also affecting Karrigan mentally, as he admitted to losing confidence and "battling demons" that even had him considering retirement a few months ago. Many in the CS2 community were also doubting not only the Dane's IGL credentials but also his in-game displays, meaning the move to Team Falcons came as a bit of a shocker to fans.

And let's be honest, had it not been for that amazing run to clinch the IEM Cologne Major 2026 title, karrigan would not have made this list. However, there is no doubt his leadership was vital to Team Falcons finally clinching that coveted Major trophy by overcoming its recent Grand Final jitters. Having helped the Saudi Arabian esports organization get the monkey off its back, we can't wait to see what karrigan & Co have in store for us in the second half of the year.

#4 flameZ

Team Vitality might not have played as well as it would have liked at the IEM Cologne Major 2026, but its recent exploits mean it remains the most fearsome side in CS2 today. Shahar " FlameZ " Shushan has played a pivotal part in earning this reputation, emerging as one of the most consistent players in H1 2026.

FlameZ might have slipped up in Cologne, but he has been one of the best CS2 players this year (Image via Team Vitality on X)

The 23-year-old put in many impactful performances to help his side clinch five straight titles at the start of the year, picking up multiple Exceptionally Valuable Player (EVP) awards along the way. As a result, he has been among the five highest-rated players so far in 2026.

FlameZ will be the first to admit that he was not at his best during the loss to Falcons in the Cologne Major's Playoffs Quarterfinals. However, there is no doubt that he played a starring role in everything good that his side did in H1 2026, and Vitality will look to bounce back stronger in the second half of the season.

#3 donk

One of the most impressive players over the past few seasons, Team Spirit entry fragger Danil " donk " Kryshkovets continues to impress at such a young age. He was the highest-rated player in H1 2026, and it's hard not to get excited for the future of a youngster who is a Major winner even before turning 20.

Donk was the highest-rated CS2 player in H1 2026 (Image via Team Spirit CS2 on X)

Some might say that the Russian starlet deserves to be higher up this list, and he is certainly a good shout for the number two spot. However, Team Spirit's inability to make the big moments count has seen it win only one event this year, which has worked against its star player in this ranking.

Donk also endured a tough time in the IEM Cologne Major 2026 semifinals against Falcons, admitting he "choked," although more experience from more tournaments will ensure the talent reaps rewards. Nevertheless, the 19-year-old clinched another EVP award at the Major, and will win many more in the years to come.

#2 ZywOo

Team Vitality began the year like it had left off in 2025, battering all teams and leaving them bloodied en route to multiple S-Tier competition wins. Leading the charge was its talismanic AWPer/Rifler, Mathieu " ZywOo " Herbaut, who has continued to enhance his reputation as one of the world's best players.

ZywOo would have placed higher had Team Vitality not lost steam at the IEM Cologne Major 2026 (Image via Blast)

The Frenchman was also the second-highest rated player in the world so far this season, behind only donk . Perhaps if Team Vitality had reached the final or even won in Cologne, he might have overtaken donk to ascend to the top of this peak.

Nevertheless, ZywOo and Vitality remain one of Counter-Strike's most entertaining acts, having won five titles in a row until May. Finishing outside the podium places at the IEM Cologne Major 2026 might have been disappointing, but ZywOo topped the event in Average Damage per Round (ADR), Kills Per Round (0.89) and Swing (+3.80%).

#1 m0NESY

Again, these rankings could have looked very different had Team Falcons not clinched its maiden Major title to round off H1 2026. But that success, coupled with his Most Valuable Player (MVP)-winning displays, has put Ilya "⁠ m0NESY " Osipov at the top of this leaderboard.

m0NESY stood up when it mattered the most, winning his maiden Major at the first time of asking (Image via Blast)

In his first-ever Major final, the 21-year-old came out all guns blazing, driving Team Falcons to a 2:0 lead against FURIA. That he was on an eight-game losing streak in grand finals going into the German event but managed to overcome the pressure added sheen to his sterling performances.

Those interested in tracking the performances of sides across esports titles can check out our Teams Dashboard . This subscription gives users access to teams-focused viewership analytics covering all matches and broadcasts, including co-streamers.

The Russian sniper topped the competition's overall rating (1.25) and KPRW (1.10) to shade his teammates to the MVP crown. That his displays also helped long-time teammate and mentor Nikola "⁠ NiKo ⁠" Kovač finally clinch his first major trophy after years of trying sealed his spot as our number-one CS player in H1 2026.

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