HLTV Reveals 2025 CS2 All-Star Team: Full Role Rankings, Vote Results, and Player Reactions

HLTV has officially unveiled its 2025 All-Star Team of the Year for Counter-Strike 2, highlighting the best performers across defined in-game roles. Voted on by a 35-member expert panel—including broadcast talent, HLTV staff, and representatives from top teams—the selection confirms Team Vitality’s dominance while underlining the historic rise of donk as the game’s most impactful rifler.

HLTV 2025 All-Star Team (CS2)

Opener of the Year: donk (Spirit)

Closer of the Year: ropz (Vitality)

Anchor of the Year: mezii (Vitality)

AWPer of the Year: ZywOo (Vitality)

IGL of the Year: apEX (Vitality)

Coach of the Year: XTQZZZ (Vitality)

Role-by-Role Rankings and Vote Points

Opener of the Year (Entry Rifler)

1. donk – 175 points

2. flameZ – 59

3. YEKINDAR – 26

donk received unanimous first-place votes, reinforcing his reputation as the most explosive opener in CS2.

Closer of the Year

1. ropz – 169

2. KSCERATO – 79

3. frozen – 29

ropz dominated late-round scenarios throughout the season, earning near-universal recognition.

Anchor of the Year

1. mezii – 163

2. HeavyGod – 60

3. b1t – 35

AWPer of the Year

1. ZywOo – 163

2. m0NESY – 91

3. sh1ro – 32

ZywOo’s consistency across majors and elite events secured him another AWPer crown.

IGL of the Year

1. apEX – 171

2. FalleN – 85

3. bLitz – 20

Coach of the Year

1. XTQZZZ – 140

2. maaRaa – 50

3. hally – 35

HLTV Highlight of the Year (CS2)

1. donk – 1v5 clutch vs Vitality (133 points)

2. Twistzz – Deagle 1v3 vs NAVI (47)

3. ropz – Two-second ace vs 3DMAX (39)

This marks donk’s second consecutive Highlight of the Year, cementing his reputation as CS2’s most viral star.

Why These Awards Matter (HLTV Panel Explained)

HLTV’s Panel Awards are role-based, not purely statistical. Riflers are separated into Openers, Closers, and Anchors using positional data and contextual impact, while AWPers, IGLs, and Coaches are judged on strategic influence and consistency at top-tier events. This methodology explains the clear structural dominance of Vitality in 2025.

Related HLTV Awards & CS2 News Context

Team of the Year: Team Vitality, following a trophy-filled season and deep playoff runs at every major event.

Top 20 Players of 2025:

ZywOo – #1

donk – #2

ropz – #3

These rankings directly mirror the All-Star selections and validate the panel’s voting logic.

Player Reactions (Verified HLTV Interviews)

donk emphasized maintaining high standards even in dominant wins, stressing that championship teams must close matches cleanly.

ropz previously highlighted how competing against players like ZywOo and donk defines the current CS2 era.

ZywOo credited Vitality’s structure and preparation for surpassing their 2024 results.