HLTV Top 20 Players of 2025: donk Ranked #2 — Stats, MVPs, Quotes, and Full Season Breakdown

Danil “donk” Kryshkovets finishes #2 in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of 2025, confirming his status as the most statistically dominant rifler of the year. After winning #1 in 2024, the Team Spirit superstar narrowly missed back-to-back crowns, edged out only by an all-time great season from ZywOo.

This ranking cements 2025 as another historic year for donk — filled with trophies, MVP medals, record-breaking ratings, and some of the most memorable highlights in Counter-Strike 2.

Why donk Finished #2 in the HLTV Top 20 of 2025

According to HLTV, donk was the best overall player by raw numbers throughout the entire season. He topped ratings:

Against top-5, top-10, and top-20 teams

In group stages, playoffs, and arena matches

Across Big Events, LANs, and elite tournaments

The only reason donk did not repeat as #1 was ZywOo’s unprecedented trophy haul and consistency at the very top level.

donk’s 2025 Achievements at a Glance 

HLTV Rank: #2 (2025)

Tournament MVPs: 4

Total Individual Awards: 11+

Major Titles: 1 (continuing from 2024 momentum)

Notable Wins:

BLAST Bounty Season 1

PGL Astana

IEM Cologne 2025

BLAST Bounty Season 2

HLTV Role Award: Opener of the Year

HLTV Highlight of the Year: 1v5 clutch vs Vitality

Each tournament victory for Team Spirit in 2025 came with donk earning the MVP — a rare feat even among elite players.

Key Matches and Rivalries: Spirit vs Vitality

One of the defining narratives of the year was Team Spirit’s rivalry with Team Vitality. Despite donk’s personal brilliance, Vitality frequently stood in Spirit’s way.

After a hard-fought loss, donk openly admitted:

“Their level of play was very high. I think they were a scary opponent for everyone.”

Vitality’s dominance ultimately helped ZywOo secure Player of the Year, while Spirit still finished the season as one of the most feared teams in CS2.

donk Quotes That Defined His 2025 Season

Beyond statistics, HLTV highlighted donk’s growing maturity and leadership:

On mindset:

“I became more mature and now I’m thinking about winning the game as a team, not as a star player.”

After winning PGL Astana:

“If we want to fight for trophies, we have to beat teams like that without giving them a single chance.”

On individual improvement:

“I like the way I’m playing this year, and I feel like I’m getting better as a player.”

On IEM Cologne victory:

“It was special… I was almost giving up… I feel relief right now.”

These quotes reinforce why donk is widely considered the most terrifying rifler in modern CS2.

HLTV Awards Context: Why #2 Still Matters

Player of the Year: ZywOo

Team of the Year: Team Vitality

Opener of the Year: donk

Highlight of the Year: donk (1v5 clutch)

In nearly any other season, donk’s numbers would have been enough for the top spot — making his #2 ranking one of the strongest runner-up finishes in HLTV history.

Looking Ahead: donk’s Goals for 2026

When asked about the future, donk delivered one of the most viral quotes of the year:

“Two Majors, two Grand Slams, win all tournaments.”

Whether hyperbole or pure confidence, it perfectly captures the mindset of a player already rewriting CS2 history.

Final Verdict

donk’s #2 ranking in the HLTV Top 20 Players of 2025 is not a downgrade — it’s confirmation of sustained greatness. With unmatched firepower, proven LAN dominance, and a championship mindset, donk enters 2026 as the most dangerous individual player in Counter-Strike 2.

If this is what second place looks like, first place may only be a matter of time.