Best Esports Players of All Time TOP 10

The best esports players are professionals who not only dominate the most popular games but also inspire millions of fans worldwide. 

In this article, you will see the most influential and talented esports players who have transformed the gaming industry with their skills, strategies, and winning histories.

The Best Esports Players Ever

Here is a list of the top 10 best esports players. Achievements, earnings, and industry impact determine their ranking.

No. 1 Johan „N0tail“ Sundstein

Johan „N0tail“ Sundstein, born in 1993 in Denmark, is considered one of the most famous esports players in the world and one of the highest paid esports players. He started his professional career at just 15 years old playing Heroes of Newerth. 

His rise to the top was unique, becoming the youngest player and the first ever to win The International twice in a row, in 2018 and 2019. These victories helped his team, OG, become one of the most influential and innovative Dota 2 teams worldwide, changing the face of esports.

Since retiring from active competition in 2021, he remains an important figure in the community as a coach for OG, while also participating in events and game analysis.

No. 2 Lee „Faker“ Sang-hyeok

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, born in 1996 in South Korea, began his career as a professional esports player in 2013 and quickly became a League of Legends pro player. He fundamentally changed how the mid lane role is played by setting new standards.

The mid lane is the central lane on the map, typically played by high-damage mages or assassins (e.g., Ahri, Zed), responsible for map control and roaming.

“Faker” stands out for his versatility and precision – he often plays champions like Azir, LeBlanc, or Orianna, maintaining a high win rate (up to 79%). His playstyle relies on quick wave clearing and precise roaming, allowing him to apply pressure across the map. On average, he contributes to over 60% of his team’s kills and deals around 633 damage per minute.

No. 3 Oleksandr „s1mple“ Kostyliev

Oleksandr „s1mple“ Kostyliev was born in 1997 in Ukraine and is known as one of the best esports professional players in CS2. His precise aim and unpredictable style make it hard for opponents to keep up. 

He plays fast and smart, impressing even top experts. S1mple has won 21 MVP awards at major tournaments, a record. His ability to control the game has made him a legend with many fans across the globe.

No. 4 Mathieu „ZywOo“ Herbaut

„KuroKy“ stands out for his exceptional versatility and strategic mindset. He is one of the few players able to play every Dota 2 hero at a professional level, often switching roles and heroes to fit his team’s needs. His playstyle is based on smart decision-making, calm leadership, and adapting strategies mid-game to outmaneuver opponents. 

Salehi Takhasomi is known for his strong support play, setting up crucial fights and guiding his team through high-pressure moments, consistently leading to deep tournament runs and podium finishes.

No. 6 Kyle „Bugha“ Giersdorf

Kyle „Bugha“ Giersdorf, born on December 30, 2002, in Pennsylvania, USA, is one of the top esports players today. He rose to fame in 2019 by winning the very first Fortnite World Cup at just 16 years old, taking home a record $3 million prize — the largest ever awarded to a single player at an esports event. 

After this win, Bugha became very popular in the Fortnite community. Epic Games even made a special character in the game named after him. Besides playing professionally, he streams a lot on Twitch, where millions of fans watch him. Bugha’s success inspires many young players to follow their dreams in esports.

No. 7 Daigo „The Beast“ Umehara

Daigo „The Beast“ Umehara, born in 1981 in Japan, is one of the most influential players in esports history and also ranks among the top-earning esports players due to his long and successful career. 

He began playing as a child, spending time in arcades and showing exceptional talent in games like Street Fighter II and Fatal Fury. His career took off in 1997 when he won the national Vampire Savior tournament. In 1998, he gained international fame by defeating the well-known American player Alex Valle. 

Daigo became best known for his iconic moment at EVO 2004, called “Moment 37,” where he performed a nearly perfect parry against Justin Wong’s attack in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. Over his career, Daigo won six EVO championships and two Super Battle Opera titles.

He wrote several books about his gaming philosophy, including The Will to Keep Winning, where he explains the importance of continuous improvement and strict discipline. 

Daigo also appears in documentaries like Living the Game, which reveal his life behind the scenes and inspire new generations of esports and fighting game players.

No. 8 Lee „Flash“ Young-ho

Lee "Flash" Young-ho, born in 1992 in South Korea, is one of the most famous StarCraft esports players and ranks among the best-paid players. He has won many titles and is known as one of the best strategy players in the world.

One of his most memorable games was in the 2010 GSL tournament, where his quick thinking and tactics helped him beat some of the toughest opponents, such as Lee „Life“ Seung Hyun, Joo „sC“ Ji-ho, and Choi „NesTea“ Seong-woo.  Now, Lee "Flash" works as an esports coach, helping young players improve and reach the pro level.

No. 9 Ian „Crimsix“ Porter

Ian „Crimsix“ Porter has had a long and very successful career in Call of Duty. During his professional career, he won three world championship titles. He also set a record by standing on the winners’ podium 38 times at major tournaments.

After a successful console shooter career, Ian switched to sim racing. This brave move shows he's open to trying new things and always wants to get better, no matter what kind of game it is. Right now, he's actively racing as part of the FaZe Clan team.

No. 10 Tom „OGRE2“ Ryan

Tom "OGRE2" Ryan, born in 1986, is a well-known esports legend. Together with his twin brother Dan "OGRE1" Ryan, they formed one of the strongest "Halo" teams — the "Ogre Twins."

This team won many important tournaments and was famous for its excellent teamwork. Tom was also an important player in the „Major League Gaming“ (MLG) tournaments, where his performances and the team's victories helped make „Halo“ a very popular game. The „Ogre Twins“victories in MLG tournaments not only raised „Halo“ as a competitive game but also attracted a huge following of players and fans, helping the game establish itself in esports.

Famous Female Esports Players

Many female esports players demonstrate through their talent and achievements that this field is becoming increasingly inclusive for women. Here are five of the most notable professional female pro gamers:

Sasha „Scarlett“ Hostyn – One of the best „StarCraft II“ players, Scarlett made history as the first woman to win a major professional tournament. She took the 2013 World Championship Series (WCS) title and became the first woman to win the „StarCraft II“ World Championship.

Katherine „Mystik“ Gunn – A key figure in the „Halo“ scene, Mystik won important tournaments like the „Halo 3“ championships. She was one of the first women to reach the top level in „Halo“ and has been instrumental in promoting women’s roles in esports.

Se-yeon „Geguri“ Kim – The first woman to join an „Overwatch League“ team. Known for her precise gameplay and quick reflexes, especially with Zarya, Geguri has inspired many women to enter professional esports.

Zainab „zAAz“ Turkie – A skilled „Counter-Strike: Global Offensive“ player, Zainab’s precision and success in tournaments like „ESL“ and „DreamHack“ have made her one of the top female players in the game.

Anna „SuperCakes“ Prosser-Robinson – A player, commentator, and streamer who encourages more women to get involved in gaming. She’s also known for organizing events that help women build confidence and skills in esports.

Final Thoughts on the Best Esports Players of All Time

The best esports players, such as Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, and Johan “N0tail” Sundstein, show how important talent and hard work are. They have won major tournaments and inspired millions of people worldwide.

These professional esports players continuously learn new skills and adapt to changes, which is why they are so successful. Following their example helps us understand how much effort and persistence it takes to become the best. With the rapid growth of the industry, esports betting has also become more popular, giving fans even more ways to connect with their favorite players and the excitement of big tournaments.

FAQs about the Most Popular Esports Players