Not all the strongest players make it to the top of the CS2 scene — more often, it’s the loudest ones who do. Marketing, interviews, highlights — all of it builds the image of a “star.” But behind the scenes, there are players who consistently carry matches, win clutch rounds, and lead their teams to victory — all without media hype. We’ve picked 10 such players who are truly excellent right now but still underrated.
10. yuurih (FURIA)
Since 2017, yuurih has been a key player for FURIA and one of their most consistent and reliable performers. Yet, the spotlight has often fallen on others — like KSCERATO or arT. Still, yuurih remains the backbone of the team, quietly doing the dirty work — trading, lurking, holding tough positions, and showing up in the most critical moments. He doesn’t chase clutches or flashy highlights, but his positioning and consistency often bring order to chaos and keep FURIA in the game.
His K/D has remained solid year after year, and he frequently ranks high in impact — all without drawing headlines. A true hero in the shadows. Teammates and coaches have repeatedly praised his game sense and dependability, calling him the kind of player every team needs but few appreciate. Of the four big tournaments he’s won, he was awarded MVP in three. He also made HLTV’s Top 20 Players list twice — 14th in 2020 and 19th in 2022.
9. regali (FlyQuest)
regali is a player who took an unusual path through Oceania. Starting from Fnatic’s academy, he moved to Copenhagen Flames, where he performed well with a 1.20 rating over 152 maps. Later, he joined OG with hopes of establishing himself for a future in a tier-1 team, but during nearly a year there, his average rating dropped to 1.07, and he was shifted to a standard AWPer role. A brief attempt to revive his career at Entropiq was also unsuccessful. After two months without a team, he joined FlyQuest, where he has once again flourished.
On FlyQuest, regali consistently delivers strong fragging, solid AWP play, and smart decision-making in the regional scene and on international stages. He has clearly outgrown his regional level, and the main question now is when he will get another opportunity to prove himself in Europe. His previous European experiences were not very successful, but he now appears more confident and should start with a tier-2 team, progressing from there.
8. sjuush (NIP)
He was the “man in the shadows” at HEROIC, but his move to NIP showed his real worth. His site holds, support for teammates, and positioning make him a vital part of the roster. He never seeks the spotlight, never makes bold statements — but always finishes tournaments with “green” stats.
Since joining NIP, 1.17his overall rating sits at 1.17 — a strong number across three months of play. Even the team’s AWPer has a lower rating.
7. REZ (GamerLegion)
Back in NIP, REZ’s talent was often overshadowed by chaos behind the scenes. The team suffered from constant roster changes and internal issues, and while he showed flashes of brilliance, the organization never fully committed to building around him. Had NIP placed their bet on REZ and given him the right structure, things might have turned out differently — both for the team’s results and REZ’s recognition. Instead, poor transfer decisions and weak management led to years of missed opportunities.
Now at GamerLegion, REZ is finally thriving. Given more freedom and responsibility, he’s come into his own — consistently posting strong ratings, clutching key rounds, and delivering impact even when the team struggles. His performances are no longer just moments of potential; they’re the foundation of GamerLegion’s fight in every match.
6. xKacpersky (ENCE)
A young Polish talent who joined ENCE during a complete rebuild. Starting with low expectations and little pressure, he quickly became one of the core players. xKacpersky now consistently posts a 1.10+ rating, wins clutches, and plays confidently. He’s quietly but steadily rising — a future star for Poland with the right support.
5. SunPayus (HEROIC)
Once just a local talent at Movistar Riders, he made his name on the international stage after joining ENCE — a team that played solid CS and even lifted the trophy at IEM Dallas 2023. But his momentum stalled after a move to Falcons in late 2023. The lineup was unstable, the results disappointing, and his form dipped. Eventually, he was benched to make room for s1mple, and his career looked uncertain.
But HEROIC gave him a lifeline — and he’s made the most of it. Surviving two roster rebuilds, he became the anchor of a young squad, guided by a familiar coach who knows how to get the best out of him. His AWPing is not just consistent — it’s precise and controlled. He doesn’t take unnecessary risks, and when it counts, he delivers. His strong performances didn’t go unnoticed — it’s now official: both he and his coach are moving to G2 after Austin Major. This transfer confirms what many already saw — SunPayus has earned his place back in tier-1 through skill, discipline, and resilience.
4. tN1R (HEROIC)
Before joining HEROIC, tn1r was an unknown name. But within just three months, he became a breakout star. He maintains a high rating, takes initiative, and performs consistently at every event. He especially stood out during the Mongolia tournament, where HEROIC claimed the trophy. His game blends mechanics, composure, and ambition — he’s the new face of HEROIC.
3. headtr1ck (B8)
He began his journey in NAVI’s academy — first with NAVI Youth, then Junior — and even stood in for the main roster twice, once replacing s1mple and averaging a 1.15 rating. After solid performances, he joined NIP, who were already in a turbulent phase. Despite posting a decent 1.08 rating over 176 maps, the project didn’t work out.
Following a failed RMR run, headtr1ck moved to B8, replacing r1nkle — who ironically went to NIP. Since then, he’s been reborn. With 6 trophies, Major qualification, and a 1.15 rating across nearly 400 maps, he’s become B8’s star. With the Austin Major and ESL Pro League ahead, he’ll finally have the stage to show his true strength.
2. Jambo (Fnatic)
Once an unknown name from Ukraine, Jambo has quickly become one of the most promising AWPers on the scene. Like many of his teammates from Passion UA, his rise wasn’t overnight — it came through relentless practice, setbacks, and comebacks. The creation of the Passion UA organization gave him the platform he needed, and over the course of a year and a half, he transformed into a world-class talent.
His breakout came during the RMR for the Shanghai Major, where his performance turned heads — and the Major itself only fueled the hype. Rumors linked him with a move to Falcons, but that transfer never materialized. Many expected a tier-1 offer to come in the summer, yet it happened sooner: Fnatic signed him.
Since joining, Fnatic have shown immediate improvement. They secured second place at CCT Season 2 Europe Series 19 and followed it up with deeper qualifier runs, though the RMR campaign fell short. Still, Jambo’s aggressive, confident, yet composed AWPing style has already proven he’s capable of outperforming established names — and his journey to the top tier may just be beginning.
1. malbsMd (G2 Esports)
From the streets of Guatemala City to the biggest stage in Counter-Strike — malbsMd’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born in 2002, he discovered CS thanks to his father, but only truly committed after health issues forced him to quit football. What started as a backup plan became a mission.
After early struggles and even being told he’d “never go pro,” malbs proved everyone wrong. He grinded through Latin America’s toughest scenes, won ESEA Open with Jaguar, learned Portuguese in three months to join Team One, and gained international experience at ESL Pro League. His raw firepower, discipline, and drive stood out — especially after the release of CS2, where his stats skyrocketed.
Now at G2, he was quietly brought in as NiKo’s replacement. But there’s nothing quiet about his impact. Since m0NESY’s departure, malbs has taken over as G2’s main aggressor — and he delivers. Crisp aim, smart timing, and fearless entries have made him a true win condition. He’s not just keeping up in tier-1 — he’s thriving in it.
These ten players show that greatness doesn’t need fanfare. They grind, evolve, and keep pushing forward. Keep an eye on them — some are already stars in the making, and others are just one step away.
