The 5 best CS:GO players of 2019

From the beginning until the middle of the year, CS:GO was dominated by Team Liquid, which won almost every major event after the Major. However, the team was unable to maintain its shape from July onwards and saw its main rivals, the Danish Astralis, regain the post of best in the world.

In turn, Nicolai “Device” Reedtze company did not have the year of dreams, but still achieved excellent results. The cast was champion of the two Majors, won 3 of the last 4 tournaments that they participated – two of them over Liquid – and finished the year in the first place of the ranking again.

However, despite the polarization between Liquid and Astralis, when thinking about the best players of the year, not many names of the two teams come to mind. That's because CS:GO is a collective game, and brilliantly, these teams manage to get the best out of each of their members, making it very difficult for just one individual to stand out.

#5- electronic

In 2018, Denis “electronic” Sharipov made it into the TOP 5 as well. (Image: HLTV)

One of the exponents of Natus Vincere, electronic was already in the TOP 5 in 2018. This year, the Russian maintained his excellent form, despite the disappointing performance of his team. Coming from the second place in the ranking in 2018, and having added the young Kirill “Boombl4” Mikhailov in May, much more was expected from the Ukrainian organization. However, NaVi closed 2019 with just one title, that of StarLadder Season 7, a championship that did not have the powers Astralis and Liquid.

Even though his teammates were not performing at the level, Denis “electronic” Sharipov delivered very significant numbers during the year, especially at major events. In them, the player has a 1.23 rating, the fourth highest in 2019.

Stats in 2019 (HLTV):

Maps played: 139
Difference between K/D: +448
ADR: 84.6
Rating: 1.21

#4- EliGE

Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski made the top 20 in 2018. (Image: HLTV)

Liquid's young 22-year-old rifler has appeared on HLTV's TOP 20 twice, ranking # 12 in 2017 and # 15 in 2018. Despite that, Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski has shown himself to be even more complete in 2019.

The American received his first MVP medals last year, when he led the team in three major tournaments: DreamHack Masters Dallas, ESL Pro League S9 and IEM Chicago. He also appears with one of the highest ratings among major events, showing that when the “bug catches”, he does not hide.

Stats in 2019 (HLTV):

Maps played: 223
Difference between K/D: +746
ADR: 85.7
Rating: 1.21

#3- device

Nicolai “Device” Reedtze in 2018 was the TOP 1. (Image: HLTV)

To be among the best in the world is already a great achievement. Now, stand out in the best team in the world, only Nicolai “Device” Reedtze. The truth is that the 24-year-old AWPer looks tireless. He has dominated the CS: GO scene for years and his robotic consistency has not earned him the title of best in the world, yet, due to the unbelievable performances of his opponents.

Last year, the sniper won “only” 3 MVPs. However, this does not necessarily show that he is slowing down, but that other players are raising the bar. As for Astralis, the year was one of recovery.

Of course, it is difficult to maintain the level when it reaches the best position in history, but the team overcame the troubled mid-year and returned to reign again in December. Now he has accumulated 15 MVP medals in his career, an absolute record holder in that category.

Stats in 2019 (HLTV):

Maps played: 159
Difference between K/D: +723
ADR: 81.1
Rating: 1.22

#2- s1mple

Aleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev in 2019 was voted the best player. (Image: HLTV)

Aleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev hit 2018 like lightning, leaving the CS: GO world gaping. His performances were enviable and many said that his year was the best in the game's history.

Indeed, the Ukrainian had an absurd impact and raised the bar. However, 2018 was marked by Astralis' dominance. The Danish machine overshadowed the brilliance of Aleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, who despite winning important titles during the season, such as ESL One Cologne, was unable to face the fight at the top.

In 2019, the player maintained a very high level, but his achievements as a team were well below expectations. NaVi went from 2nd place in the ranking to 9th and raised only one trophy, compared to 4 last year. In this achievement, Aleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev received his only MVP medal of the year.

By numbers, the Ukrainian had an impressive campaign, but if that doesn't reflect in titles, what does it matter?

Stats in 2019 (HLTV):

Maps played: 141
Difference between K/D: +966
ADR: 85.3
Rating: 1.30

#1- ZywOo

At just 19, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was voted the best player in the world in 2019. (Image: HLTV)

At the age of 19, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut appeared to the world through Team Vitality, the new French power on the scene. Until his announcement on the team in 2018, the young man was just a promise. Today, it is beyond reality. The player was responsible last year not only for an outstanding performance, but also for the best highlights in the history of the game.

The Frenchman's year was so good that it earned him comparisons even from Aleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev. The Ukrainian said Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was the professional who came closest to him in terms of skill. Coming from the best in the world, this is no small feat.

Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut won 5 MVP medals in 2019, including championships in which he did not win, and has been largely responsible for putting France back into the elite of CS: GO. With a little more time, he has the ability to dethrone the French idol Kenny “KennyS” Schrub, considered by many to be the best awper in history, and to become the biggest in the country.

Stats in 2019 (HLTV):

Maps played: 270
Difference between K/D: +1.662
ADR: 85.8
Rating: 1.32