ZywOo on HLTV Player of the Year 2025: “It’s Not Something I Specifically Aim For”

ZywOo Reflects on HLTV Player of the Year 2025 Award

ZywOo has once again been crowned HLTV Player of the Year, securing the prestigious title for the fourth time in his career. The French superstar shared his thoughts on the achievement during the HLTV Awards 2025 ceremony in Belgrade, emphasizing that individual accolades are not his primary motivation.

“Individual achievements are always nice, but it’s not something I strive for at the beginning of the season. I focus on the team and our goals. At the end of the year, receiving such a title is a reward for what we achieved together.”

The award follows a historic year for Team Vitality, who dominated the 2025 CS2 season and set the competitive standard worldwide.

Why HLTV Ranked ZywOo #1 in 2025

At the HLTV Awards 2025, ZywOo topped the annual Top 20 list, finishing ahead of donk and his own teammate ropz.

HLTV’s editorial team highlighted several decisive factors:

Consistent elite performances across the entire season

Strong head-to-head results in shared events

Multiple MVP medals, including at Major tournaments

Vitality’s deep playoff runs and overall trophy count

In total, Vitality claimed nine trophies in 2025, including two CS2 Majors, with ZywOo earning eight MVP awards—a key argument behind HLTV’s final decision.

ZywOo vs donk: The Defining Rivalry of CS2

The battle between ZywOo and donk became one of the most discussed topics in the CS2 scene throughout 2025. While donk impressed fans with explosive individual stats, HLTV ultimately valued ZywOo’s consistency and impact in the biggest matches.

HLTV Editor-in-Chief Milan “Striker” Švejda explained that rankings are not based on raw numbers alone but on overall contribution, pressure matches, and performance at elite events.

Despite finishing second, donk left a strong impression during the awards ceremony and earlier interviews, where he acknowledged his growing focus on team play rather than personal highlights.

ropz Reacts to Podium Finish

Finishing third in the HLTV Top 20, ropz praised the competition at the very top:

“Very proud to take #3 and stand on the podium next to two superhumans.”

His quote quickly spread across social media, reinforcing the narrative of an exceptionally competitive era in professional CS2.

What This Means for the CS2 Scene in 2026

ZywOo’s latest Player of the Year title further cements his legacy as one of the greatest Counter-Strike players of all time. At the same time, the rise of donk signals a new generation ready to challenge the established elite.

With CS2 continuing to evolve, the rivalry at the top promises another year of intense competition—and potentially another battle for the HLTV crown.