HLTV Top 20 Players of 2025: Why Spinx Ranks #10 After a Consistent Year With MOUZ

Lotan "Spinx" Giladi secured the #10 position in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of 2025, marking another elite individual achievement in a year defined by consistency, roster turmoil, and MOUZ’s constant presence at top-tier events. The ranking, published by HLTV, highlights Spinx as one of the most reliable riflers of the CS2 era—despite the absence of major trophies.

Spinx Ranked #10: Key Reasons Behind HLTV’s Decision

HLTV’s evaluation places heavy emphasis on year-long consistency, and that is where Spinx truly stood out in 2025.

Why Spinx Made the Top 10

Played 14 S-tier events in 2025

Finished every event as at least a “valuable” player

Recorded 10 strong tournament performances

Earned four EVP awards (PGL Cluj-Napoca, IEM Dallas, BLAST.tv Austin Major, ESL Pro League Season 22)

This statistical reliability made Spinx one of the safest high-impact riflers throughout the season and a cornerstone of MOUZ’s competitive stability.

The Limiting Factor: Playoff Impact

While Spinx’s group-stage numbers were among the best in the world, HLTV notes a noticeable playoff drop-off compared to players ranked higher.

Average 1.05 rating in playoffs

Fewer “takeover” series in arenas and finals

MOUZ often reached late stages but struggled to convert deep runs into titles

This gap between consistency and peak impact ultimately kept Spinx out of the Top 5 discussion.

From Vitality Exit to MOUZ Core Player

Spinx’s 2025 narrative cannot be separated from his early-season uncertainty.

Benched by Vitality

At the start of the year, Team Vitality moved Spinx to their inactive roster following internal changes that paved the way for ropz’s arrival. Team representatives later confirmed that Spinx was unhappy with the team’s structure, and both sides agreed a fresh start was necessary.

Signing With MOUZ

In late January 2025, MOUZ officially announced Spinx as part of a major rebuild. Due to roster-lock rules, he missed IEM Katowice, but once active, he immediately became one of the team’s most consistent performers.

Spinx described the move as “starting a new chapter”, acknowledging the risk of leaving Vitality but standing by his decision.

Player Quotes That Define Spinx’s 2025 Season

HLTV-supported interviews and features highlight Spinx’s mindset throughout the year:

On priorities:
“Our goal is to win some events as a team, and then individual goals will follow.”

On early-2025 uncertainty:
Spinx admitted the opening weeks of the year were stressful due to ongoing negotiations and a lack of clarity about his future.

On MOUZ’s ambitions (IEM Melbourne):
He stated that MOUZ’s goal was no longer just playoffs, but “to win the trophy,” adding that the gap to Vitality was steadily closing.

Additionally, HLTV revisited comments from Snappi, who previously praised Spinx’s work ethic and mentality, calling them among the best he had seen in professional Counter-Strike.

Related News Connected to Spinx’s Top 20 Ranking

Vitality officially move Spinx to the inactive roster (January 2025)

Vitality sign ropz, ending Spinx’s tenure with the team

MOUZ confirm Spinx signing during roster overhaul

Spinx confirms he accepted the risk of being benched to pursue a better long-term fit

In HLTV’s “Bold Prediction” segment, Spinx highlights MaiL09 as a future talent to watch

All developments were referenced or linked directly by HLTV in their Top 20 feature.