sh1ro Comments on HLTV Top 20 of 2025, Admits m0NESY “Plays Much Better”

Team Spirit AWPer Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov has reacted to his placement in HLTV.org’s Top 20 Players of 2025, downplaying the importance of individual rankings and openly praising G2 Esports star Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov.

Speaking during a personal livestream, sh1ro stated that finishing 5th instead of 18th means little if a player is not ranked No.1, emphasizing that titles and team success matter far more than personal accolades.

sh1ro on HLTV Rankings and Individual Awards

When asked about his position in the HLTV Top 20, sh1ro made it clear that rankings outside the top spot do not significantly impact his mindset:

“If you’re not first, it doesn’t really matter whether you’re fifth or eighteenth. What matters is winning trophies.”

In the same conversation, sh1ro acknowledged m0NESY’s individual level, saying that the G2 AWPer “plays much better” and noting that MVP awards influence how players are perceived throughout the year.

HLTV Top 20 Players of 2025: Key Placements

According to the official HLTV ranking for 2025:

ZywOo finished No.1, securing Player of the Year

donk placed No.2

m0NESY ranked No.4

sh1ro followed closely at No.5

All four players were central figures in the CS2 competitive scene, dominating individual statistics and elite-tier tournaments throughout the year.

m0NESY on MVPs: “They Don’t Replace Trophies”

In HLTV’s official Top 20 interview, m0NESY echoed a similar philosophy to sh1ro, stating that individual awards are not a substitute for championships. Despite earning multiple MVPs in 2025, the G2 sniper emphasized that team victories remain the ultimate goal.

This overlap in perspective highlights a shared mindset among top-tier AWPers: personal recognition matters less without titles.

donk Reacts to Second Place Finish

Team Spirit rifler Danil “donk” Kryshkovets, who ended the year at No.2, also commented on the rankings. He stated that he considers himself the best player in the world, pointing to his statistics despite not winning every event — a confident response that fueled discussion within the CS2 community.

HLTV Awards 2025: ZywOo Dominates

At the HLTV Awards ceremony:

ZywOo won Player of the Year

He also secured AWPer of the Year, finishing ahead of m0NESY and sh1ro

These results further reinforced ZywOo’s dominance during the 2025 season.

sh1ro Reflects on 2025 With Team Spirit

Outside of rankings, sh1ro previously described 2025 as a “fateful year”, noting both challenges and achievements. With four tournament victories alongside Team Spirit, the Russian AWPer highlighted gratitude toward his teammates and fans, reinforcing his focus on collective success over personal placement.

Why sh1ro’s Statement Matters

sh1ro’s response stands out in a scene where players often dispute rankings. Instead of questioning HLTV’s methodology, he:

Devalues non-No.1 placements

Publicly credits a direct rival (m0NESY)

Reinforces a trophy-first mentality

This perspective adds depth to the ongoing debate around individual rankings vs. team success in Counter-Strike 2 esports.