Counter-Strike has been enjoying its most competitive years in history during 2024.
NAVI, G2, FaZe, MOUZ, and Spirit have all won S-tier events, and the year only looks to be getting more competitive as we go on with the likes of Astralis, Virtus.pro, Liquid, and Vitality all lurking in the shadows and waiting for their time to strike.
With so many top teams all looking capable of dominating at any point in time, it can be hard to nail down who are the best of the best, so we spoke to HenryG to find out the five he is currently ranking above the rest of the field.
"After their historic victory at the last CS:GO Major, the world was shocked when Vitality announced multiple changes in the following months, making way for younger talent and losing key pieces such as Magisk to Team Falcons.
It was unclear if Vitality could find the same level of success with players that didn't have the same level of experience. It has been an up and down experience in recent months with some fantastic flashes of form but ultimately finding themselves below the high standards they have set for the squad.
Housing some of the biggest names in CS2, including the prodigy ZywOo; there is pressure to start getting back to their winning ways and find their form quickly as the biggest trophies of the year are just around the corner." - HenryG
"The CS2 community lost their marbles when the changes of G2 were announced, and many doubted whether snax and malbsMD could step up to the plate of the very highest level of world Counter-Strike.
After their amazing run at EWC and opening games at Fall Groups 2024, I am convinced this team is the real deal.
Housing two of the world's best players in the form of m0NESY and NiKo, who are both peaking in form right now, it's just a matter of time before we see this team beating the final boss in a grand final." - HenryG
"MOUZ have amazing team chemistry and are gathering experience at each and every event, the deadly youngsters continue to improve with the addition of siuhy and peaked in form with their ESL Pro League season 19 victory.
The problem we have with this team is we're waiting to see that success converted into the big arenas; If they're able to do so, they are in contention to be one of the very best teams in all of CS2" - HenryG
"After their win at the first ever IEM Katowice Championship in CS2 and the world being introduced to one of the best riflers to ever step on a server, it was clear at that moment that Team Spirit were the number one team in the world.
They seem to have dropped off slightly in form and are finding their footing again into the second half of 2024 but it is not a matter of 'if' it is simply 'when' this team lifts another trophy." - HenryG
"The current major champions proved they could lift massive trophies once again with a very convincing win at the recent Esports World Cup.
Aleksib has had time to raise the floor of the squad and get the most out of his stars, most notably his world class sniper, w0nderful.
World Counter-Strike is extremely competitive right now, but NAVI have the trophies and current form to claim the number one slot right now." - HenryG
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