s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev)
coldzera (Marcelo David)
Stat by stat
Bars are scaled to the leader in this list.
The verdict
s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev) leads 2 of 4 categories. Our all-time ranking places s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev) at #2 and coldzera (Marcelo David) at #7.
The case for s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev)
Oleksandr Kostyliev, known as s1mple, is the most acclaimed Counter-Strike player in history, a hybrid rifler and AWPer whose individual skill ceiling redefined what was possible. Playing for Natus Vincere, he was named the HLTV number-one player of the year in 2018 and again in 2021, and holds the record for the most HLTV MVP medals of any player. His crowning team achievement came at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021, where he led Na'Vi to their first Major title and was named the event's most valuable player after a dominant run. For years he was the benchmark against whom every other player was measured, capable of single-handedly winning rounds that seemed lost. Even as CS transitioned to CS2, his peak remains the standard for individual brilliance in the tactical-shooter genre, and his highlight reel is the most celebrated in the game.
The case for coldzera (Marcelo David)
Marcelo David, known as coldzera, was the world's best Counter-Strike player at the height of Brazil's golden generation. Playing for Luminosity and then SK Gaming alongside FalleN and fer, he won consecutive Majors in 2016, MLG Columbus and ESL One Cologne, and was named the HLTV number-one player of the year in both 2016 and 2017, back-to-back seasons of individual supremacy. His jumping, no-scope quad kill against Team Liquid at MLG Columbus 2016 was voted the play of the year and remains one of the most replayed moments in CS. A cerebral, positionally brilliant rifler, he made the game look easy during a peak few have matched. Later roster moves diluted his form, but for two years he was untouchable, and his double HLTV crown and two Majors secure his place among the very best the shooter has produced.