HLTV Top 20 Players of 2025: frozen (#8) — Why FaZe Clan’s Rifler Reached a Career Peak

David frozen Čerňanský finished 8th in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of 2025, marking his highest-ever placement and fourth consecutive appearance in Counter-Strike’s most prestigious individual ranking. Representing FaZe Clan, frozen cemented his status as one of the most consistent elite riflers in CS2 during a turbulent season for the international lineup.

This ranking places frozen firmly among the world’s best CS2 players in 2025, highlighting his impact, consistency, and ability to deliver under pressure even when team results fluctuated.

frozen’s HLTV Top 20 Ranking Explained

According to HLTV, frozen’s 2025 campaign stood out for one main reason: reliability. While FaZe experimented with rosters and roles throughout the year, frozen remained the team’s most stable win condition.

Key achievements behind frozen’s #8 ranking:

Career-best HLTV position (previous best: outside Top 5)

Multiple EVP awards at tier-one international events

Strong average ratings across LAN tournaments

High-impact rifling in both group stages and playoffs

From early-season struggles to deep Major runs, frozen consistently ranked among FaZe’s top performers.

Tournament Highlights That Defined frozen’s 2025

Frozen delivered standout performances at several major CS2 events:

PGL Cluj-Napoca — 1.30 rating (EVP)

PGL Bucharest — 1.22 rating (EVP)

ESL Pro League Season 22 — 1.22 rating (EVP)

StarLadder Major — Grand Final appearance, EVP-level impact

These results underline why frozen is frequently described as FaZe’s “quiet carry”: rarely flashy, but consistently decisive in crucial rounds.

FaZe Clan’s Roster Changes and frozen’s Role

FaZe’s 2025 season was defined by instability. High-profile roster moves, including:

The departure of ropz

The signing — and later benching — of EliGE

A short-term AWP solution involving s1mple

Despite these changes, frozen adapted seamlessly, often taking on more responsibility as FaZe searched for structure. In interviews, frozen openly acknowledged the need for change within the team, emphasizing adaptability and long-term goals.

This context significantly boosted the value of his individual performances in HLTV’s evaluation.

Why frozen Ranked #8 Instead of Top 5

HLTV cited two main factors that limited frozen’s final placement:

1. Smaller playoff sample size compared to players ranked above him

2. A few below-average tournaments that slightly lowered his yearly average

However, HLTV analysts agreed that frozen’s peak level and consistency across events clearly justified his inclusion in the upper tier of the Top 20.

What frozen’s Ranking Means for CS2 in 2026

Frozen’s #8 finish confirms him as one of the most reliable rifle stars in modern Counter-Strike. At just 22 years old, he combines:

• Tier-one LAN experience

• Proven Major performance

• Adaptability to roster changes

If FaZe Clan stabilizes its lineup in 2026, frozen is widely expected to remain a Top 10 HLTV contender — and potentially push even higher.