SkinLords CS2 Esports Best CS2 Players of All Time: IGLs

Best CS2 Players of All Time: IGLs

Every team needs a leader. One that prioritizes strategy over statistics, calling the shots over being the first ones into a site, and definitely one that can hold the group together during good and bad times. The role of an in-game leader is arguably the most important aspect of any team, and the best IGLs of all time have the records to back it up, too.

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This is nothing compared to the solo queue experience of calling out which site to go at the start of each round. IGLs do so much more; from analyzing rotations, predicting enemy movement, and being confident enough with their calls to make sure their team listens to whatever they say. The best example of these kinds of players is those mentioned in the list below. Without further ado, here are the best in-game leaders of all time.

Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander

It would be a crime not to include the team captain of the most successful team in Counter-Strike history on this list. Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander made his name known all across the world as the IGL of Astralis during their prime, where the team secured four Major championships, three of which were in consecutive order.

He brought the now-signature style of 2017-19 Astralis to life, which was a methodical, execution-focused style of play that made use of utility more than any team in CS history. Often, he would be seen during timeouts and in between maps, going over his notebook and relaying to the rest of the team exactly what their steps would be.

He is the winningest player on this entire list with a trophy cabinet that easily rivals anyone else’s. Quite literally, there wasn’t a single tournament where gla1ve’s efficient tactics didn’t work. Though he’s definitely at the twilight of his career now and has definitely slowed down to prioritize family life, he will always be remembered as the man who rewrote how to play Counter-Strike.

Finn “karrigan” Andersen

Another Danish IGL with a strong argument to overtake gla1ve as the best not only from Denmark but of all time, Finn “karrigan” Andersen is the definition of timeless. He first rose to prominence as a member of Team SoloMid/Astralis, but nowadays everyone knows him as one of FaZe’s greatest and most immortal members.

He left Astralis right before they established their legend in the late 2010s, and it took a while for him to escape the ghost of the 2018 ELEAGUE Major Boston, but as of today, the only thing anyone thinks when they hear karrigan’s name is success.

His aggressive calling style and emphasis on mid-round freedom were what propelled FaZe to their first Major in 2022 at the PGL Major Antwerp, and just a year later, to the Season 4 crown of the coveted Intel Grand Slam. Even in this new era of FaZe, karrigan is still calling the shots. Despite how many players have come and gone on that roster, Finn Andersen has always been there to lead them.

Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo

The Godfather of Brazilian Counter-Strike, Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, is part of an extremely rare breed. Not only does he serve as the primary shotcaller for any of his teams,but he also takes up AWPing duties as either the first or second-choice sniper.

It’s a common stereotype for IGLs to be the least proficient in terms of mechanical skill among the five players of the team, but that obviously doesn’t apply to FalleN. He’s more than proven his worth as a capable AWPer or even rifler, and while he won’t quite find his way to any top-ten rankings for those roles, he’s capable of going toe-to-toe with the very best in CS history.

Everyone knows the tales of the Brazilian era that defined 2016 with back-to-back Major victories under the same lineup. FalleN was the mastermind behind that iconic Luminosity/SK Gaming squad, and now, over nine years later, the Professor just captained FURIA with a bunch of new talent to the IEM Chengdu title.

Richard “Xizt” Landström

Richard “Xizt” Landström’s name is one that goes overlooked in recent times, but for the veterans of the game, he’s earned a spot as one of the GOATs. Known for his tenure on Ninjas in Pyjamas, which spanned from the last few years of CS 1.6 to the early days of Global Offensive.

Under Xizt’s leadership, NIP achieved their historic 87-0 LAN map winning streak, which no team has ever come close to matching. That record, along with four consecutive Major grand final appearances and even first place at ESL One Cologne 2014, cemented his NIP squad as one of the game’s early titans.

He retired from competitive play in 2021 and, unsurprisingly, made the transition to coaching. He is currently with his old squad, NIP, after guiding HEROIC to their most successful period, which includes runner-up finishes at the 2022 IEM Rio Major and the 2023 IEM Katowice tournament.

Dan “apEX” Madesclaire

Dan “apEX” Madesclaire was not always an IGL; in fact, he only became one during the online era after spending a career as a notable entry fragger, but what he’s done as the shotcaller of Vitality has been nothing but impressive.

apEX was already one of the best French players of all time as a rifler, but he’s definitely in contention for the top spot in any argument with his achievements as Vitality’s IGL. It’s not that easy for most to transition from aim-focused gameplay to methodical leadership, but apEX is not like most players.

Two Major championships, the Intel Grand Slam, and three ESL Pro League victories are what he’s brought to the organization in what’s arguably their most successful era ever, and it doesn’t even feel like apEX is slowing down anytime soon.