Ropz Ranked 18th on HLTV's List of the Best Players of 2024

On December 27, 2024, HLTV announced the 18th spot in this year’s ranking of the best Counter-Strike 2 players. It was awarded to FaZe Clan’s Estonian player, Robin "ropz" Kool. Many were surprised by such a low position for the player in the 2024 ranking, as he was one of the team’s key players who carried games throughout the year, including at the Shanghai Major, where FaZe Clan became finalists.

This year, the player achieved a rating of 1.15, a DPR of 0.61, and a KAST of 72.8, which are very strong statistics. It’s also worth noting that "ropz" has made the top 20 players list for seven consecutive years, making him one of the best Counter-Strike players of the past decade. Thus, his inclusion in the ranking is well-deserved, though his position on the list remains somewhat controversial.

Career Highlights and Achievements

As mentioned above, Robin "ropz" Kool has been featured in the top players’ list seven times in a row. His first appearance was in 2018, when he ranked 19th. Since then, his rise to the top of the Counter-Strike scene has been steady.

He gained recognition while playing for MOUZ, with whom he won a major tournament in his first year with the team. He played for MOUZ until 2021, achieving significant victories, such as winning the ESL Pro League Season 10 Finals, the CS:GO Asia Championships 2019, and other top-tier tournaments. Since 2022, he has played for FaZe Clan, surpassing his previous achievements and becoming a Major champion with the team.

2024 Recap and Player Comments

Ropz is known for being open in interviews, so here are his thoughts on the 2024 season for himself and FaZe Clan:

"For us, 2024 wasn’t a successful year. For many other teams, having our results could be considered a success. However, our standards are very high, and we acknowledge when things don’t go as planned."

When asked about his performance at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, he shared the following:

"The Shanghai Major was undoubtedly one of my best performances. My goal has always been to elevate my level during the most prestigious tournaments and matches. Doing so at a Major and in critical games felt amazing. This year, we competed against the best teams, but when I was playing, I didn’t feel like I was being overwhelmed instantly, as I often do. Perhaps I was more in the zone, but for some reason, this tournament felt easier for me. We were given more space and opportunities to play.”

How would you evaluate ropz's performance in 2024, and does he deserve his spot in the HLTV Top 20 ranking?