CS:GO Major MVPs Ranked – From Worst to Best

The history of CS:GO is filled with incredible moments, and the Major events have always been the pinnacle of competition. Over 11 years, we witnessed 19 unforgettable Majors and celebrated 17 different players as their Most Valuable Players (MVPs).

As we rank these MVPs from worst to best, it’s important to acknowledge their impact on the game throughout their careers rather than just their individual performances in a single tournament.

DreamHack Winter 2013 to BLAST Paris Major 2023

Nearly a decade passed between the first CS:GO Major at DreamHack Winter 2013 and the latest one at BLAST Paris Major 2023. In that time, we saw significant evolution in gameplay, tactics, and player skills. However, one constant remained—the Majors were always highly anticipated events that never failed to deliver excitement.

In addition to ranking teams based on their success in winning Majors, it’s now time to analyze individuals who stood out as exceptional players both inside and outside of Majors.

Tarik – The Underdog Hero

The story of Cloud9’s victory at ELEAGUE Major 2018 remains one of CS:GO’s greatest underdog tales. While this achievement will forever be remembered as magical for Tarik and his teammates, when comparing skill levels amongst other competitors, they fall short.

It is worth noting that Tarik is the only Major MVP who has not made HLTV’s Top 20 list during his career—highlighting the disparity in skill. Despite this, his accomplishment at ELEAGUE 2018 cannot be overlooked, landing him a spot near the bottom of our ranking.

Kjaerbye – A Career that Faded

Initially expected to perform alongside device as an outstanding duo, Kjaerbye’s career took a different path. Unfortunately, he never reached superstar status and his lone MVP award from ELEAGUE Major 2017 (which could have easily gone to device) remains the highlight of his CS:GO journey. While compared to most professional players it is still a respectable resume, when placed among other Major MVPs, it falls short.

AdreN – The Consistent Performer

AdreN stands out for being one of the few players who has only won an MVP award at a Major tournament. However, his longevity and consistent performance throughout his career earned him recognition above Tarik and Kjaerbye. Once considered a star player in the CIS region during the early years of CS:GO, AdreN later settled into a support role where he excelled.

In 2017, AdreN played an integral part in Gambit winning PGL Krakow Major and also reached another final with AVANGAR at StarLadder Berlin Major. While he may not stand out amongst some of CS:GO’s greatest players on this list due to their exceptional skills outside Majors, AdreN’s impressive track record solidifies his position here.

Jame – A Unique Style

Jame boasts the smallest trophy collection among all ranked MVPs; however what sets him apart is that when Jame’s team wins titles it often comes down to his individual performances and leadership abilities as an AWPer. Three out of four titles won by Jame have earned him MVP honors, including the IEM Rio Major.

While his playstyle occasionally leans towards excessive gun-saving, there’s no denying that Jame is a top-quality player who deserves recognition for his unique approach to the game.

Friberg – The Big-Game Player

Friberg found himself in an interesting position alongside legendary players GeT_RiGhT and f0rest during the first five years of his CS:GO career. This dynamic may explain why he only holds a single MVP award compared to his esteemed teammates.

The crowning moment of Friberg’s career came at ESL One Cologne 2014 when he emerged as the MVP over his celebrated teammates. His exceptional performance led Ninjas in Pyjamas to victory, securing their only Major trophy out of five finals played. It’s also worth mentioning that Friberg consistently ranked among the top performers on his team throughout this period.