Esports has gone from a niche industry to popping up on every campus, banked on by enterprises, investors, and mainstream brands to reach millions of fans and make billions in profits. With competitive gaming now hitting heights comparable to traditional sports, the call to find and follow the best esports players has never been greater.
If you're someone hoping to improve your own skillset or enjoy watching the masters of the digital craft, then welcome to this blog, where we will go through the best esports players that etched their name in the gaming space. Here’s a closer look at the top esports players, the highest-paid stars, and the greatest champions of all time. Whether you’re a casual gamer or an aspiring pro, the best esports player has something to teach you.
You can't talk about the greatest esports players of all time without mentioning Faker. Considered by many to be the greatest esports player in League of Legends (LoL) history, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok has ruled the professional scene for nearly a decade. Faker's playing style is known for his unrivaled mechanics, depth of strategy, and clutch factor.
As a member of SK Telecom T1 (SKT), after his debut in 2013, Faker won multiple world championships and earned a reputation as the greatest esports player of his generation. His consistency and adaptability over a range put him head and shoulders above competitors. It made him one of the highest-paid esports players in the world. Faker is the one to watch and learn from for any player wanting to improve.
Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev is one of the best esports players ever when it comes to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). His aim, reaction time, and game sense are unrivaled. In Ukraine, s1mple has played for multiple teams but reached his greatest professional success with Natus Vincere (Na'Vi), where he proved himself to be one of the greatest esports players.
This makes S1mple one of the very best to learn from in esports, as he can either play Rifler or AWP (sniper). His unrivaled highlight reels and crucial moments prove why he is one of the wealthiest esports players and certainly one of the most revered. If you're an aspiring CS:GO player, watching s1mple's decision-making, aim, and movement is a textbook on how to improve your gameplay.
N0tail had already made a name for himself in the esports scene. He and his team OG won The International two times, becoming the most successful team at the top tournament in Dota 2 history. This leads us to the next point that makes this player one of the best esports players—his captainship and in-game mindset.
His personality in Dota 2 In-Game is such that players like to become like him when they want to train their calm during the high-pressure match in Dota 2. Anyone who’s played at any level or captained a team can learn from his ability to bring together his teammates and create a positive environment. If you want to be both a strategist and a team player, N0tail is one of the best esports players to watch and learn from.
While Fortnite is a newcomer to the competitive esports landscape, Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf became an overnight sensation after winning the Fortnite World Cup 2019. Bugha won the solo tournament and earned three million dollars in prize money, effectively making him one of the youngest high-earning pro esports players.
Bugha put skills such as strategic building, accurate shooting, and adaptability to the top of the Fortnite community. His streams and gameplay offer information and examples for players looking to sharpen their mechanics and strategy in-game. If you need help unpacking this battle royale phenomenon, it's time to turn to Bugha, one of the top Fortnite competition players.
“ZywOo” Herbaut is another top esports player and has often been mentioned along with s1mple for the accolade of best esports player. Formerly of Team Vitality, the French prodigy made waves early in his career with his insane reflexes, crisp aim, and ability to consistently play at a high level. ZywOo has proven himself to be one of the best esports players in the world — a promising talent who has cemented his status.
For anyone aspiring to reach the upper echelons of CS:GO play, ZywOo is a must-watch, both for his levels of composure under pressure and his ability to single-handedly win games. He is one of the most exciting players in the world at the moment with his tactical approach and precision shooting.
Esports aren’t exclusively about team games. The fighting game community (FGC) has no shortage of iconic solo players, and none are more legendary than Daigo “The Beast” Umehara. A Street Fighter prodigy, Daigo had been top-tier at the highest level for decades and is considered one of the greatest esports players of all time.
Daigo’s accuracy, reaction time, and uncanny ability to predict his opponents’ actions have made him a living legend in the FGC. His legacy represents a LOT of generations, and he is and will forever be that guy in the community. All you can do is learn from him and enjoy watching him play. If you want to learn how to play fighting games, studying Daigo’s gameplay, especially his grasp of spacing and mind games, is something that anyone must do.
The other name soaring to the Fortnite scene is Cody "Clix" Conrod. Popular for his aggressive gameplay and impeccable building skills, Clix has established himself as one of the best esports players to follow. As an emerging talent, he's become a must-see on platforms such as Twitch for Fortnite wannabees to watch.
Clix easily out-builds and out-guns his opponents, which makes for great in-game mechanics to learn from. His frequent live streams of these outings give fans a taste of how he performs in both casual and competitive situations, offering relatable lessons in fast decision-making and game strategy.
In Valorant's burgeoning component of the gaming world, Tyson “Tenz” Ngo is considered by many as one of the best esports players in the game. Arguably Sentinel's best player, Tenz’s style of play has helped skyrocket Valorant into the esports conversation. His building, reflexes, and unrivaled aim have made him a fan favorite. Tenz's ability to single-handedly win rounds off the back of his own aim is what all up-and-coming Valorant players can learn from.
Some of the highest-earning esports players come from Dota 2, and Kuro “KuroKy” Salehi Takhasomi is arguably among the greatest esports players of all time. KuroKy has played in every version of The International, always managing to upgrade and reinvent himself together with the game. If any player can learn the importance of team dynamics and strategy, it is KuroKy.
Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek is retired from competitive gaming, but his legacy as one of the greatest esports players ever lives on. Shroud became popular through CS:GO and later in his full-time streaming career, and he continued to show off his skills in many games, from PUBG to Apex Legends.
His streams remain among the most-viewed in the world, giving gamers a glimpse into his playing style. Between the focus on shooters and general high-level play, if you care about the shooting genre at all and want to watch someone play at the top, you can’t go wrong with Shroud.
Esports is a world brimming with talent, from the tactical Maestro to the mechanical wizard, and there are infinite lessons to take in for a player looking to make a breakthrough. These players made their claims in their respective games and inspired a new generation of gamers. It can be hard to decide exactly how to approach the topic.
Whether you want to become the best esports player you can be or learn from the highest-paid players, the best esports players of all time have one thing in common. Studying them can give you tons of insight into the playstyles and strategies of these greatest esports players. Watch and learn, and someday maybe your name will be among them.
This content was created by AI