The esports world has produced countless legends, but only a select few are celebrated as the best esports players of all time. These individuals have not only dominated their respective games with unparalleled skill and strategy but have also redefined the competitive gaming landscape. From mastering diverse titles to securing historic championships, their contributions extend beyond personal achievements, inspiring generations of players and shaping esports into the global phenomenon it is today. Figures like Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel, Jang "Moon" Jae Ho, and Olof "olofmeister" Kajbjer exemplify this elite group, each leaving an indelible mark on games like Quake, Warcraft III, and CS: GO. Their legacies transcend the virtual arena, cementing their status as pioneers and icons in the ever-evolving world of esports. Let's explore the list of best esports players of all time with Wintips through the following article!
Top 10 best esports players of all time
1. Faker
Lee Sang Hyeok (이상혁), known by his nickname "Faker," is a professional League of Legends player from South Korea. He currently plays for the South Korean national team and T1, and is considered one of the game's greatest legends. With his talent and outstanding contributions, Faker has become an iconic figure in South Korean esports.
By most assessments, Faker is the best League of Legends player of all time. He is one of only two people to win the League of Legends World Championship three times, but that is not the only achievement in his professional gaming career.
He also won All-Star Paris 2014, the Mid-Season Invitational in 2016 and 2017, and the IEM World Championship in 2015. In terms of prize money, he has earned over $1.2 million throughout his career, which began at the age of 17.
2. Flash
Lee Young Ho (이영호), known by his nickname "Flash," is a South Korean esports player who is famous for his work on StarCraft II and StarCraft: Brood War. He has played for prestigious teams such as Evil Geniuses and KT Rolster, leaving a deep mark on the global gaming community. Flash is considered one of the greatest players in StarCraft history due to his outstanding skills and impressive achievements on the international stage.
When he started playing StarCraft II professionally, Flash quickly became one of the best players in the game. Throughout his professional gaming career, he has managed to rack up a large number of tournament wins, solidifying his reputation as one of the best players in the esports community.
Although he retired from StarCraft II in December 2015, he returned to the competitive scene the following year with StarCraft: Brood War, where he continued to achieve impressive tournament wins. He regularly broadcasts his gameplay via AfreecaTV, where he won the platform's 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seasons of the Afreeca Starleague.
3. f0rest
Patrik Lindberg, known by his nickname "f0rest," is a Swedish esports player renowned for his success in Counter-Strike and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. He has played for many prestigious teams such as Begrip Gaming, Fnatic, Ninjas in Pyjamas, SK Gaming, and the Swedish national team. With his outstanding skills and extensive experience, f0rest has established himself as one of the legends of Counter-Strike, helping to cement Sweden's reputation in the international esports community.
F0rest is considered one of the best Counter-Strike players in the world, and he has been honing his skills since he started his professional gaming career in 2005. He helped make Fnatic the dominant CS team in the industry, and with his help, the team broke the record for the highest-earning team in CS history.
He eventually left the team to move to SK Gaming, but then departed again to play Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for Ninjas in Pyjamas, known to the esports community as NiP.
4. SlayerS_`BoxeR`
Lim Yo-hwan (임요환), better known by his nickname "BoxeR," is one of the greatest legends in Korean esports, having distinguished himself in StarCraft II and StarCraft: Brood War. During his career, he played for prestigious teams such as Air Force ACE, SK Telecom T1, and SlayerS. BoxeR is known as the "Terran Emperor" for his excellent tactical skills and top-notch playing style. He is not only an icon in the StarCraft community, but also a pioneer in bringing Korean esports to new heights on the international stage.
Although he is best known as SlayerS' "BoxeR" or simply BoxeR, many refer to Lim Yo-hwan as "The Emperor" or "Terran Emperor" due to his exceptional Terran skills in StarCraft II. He is considered one of the most successful players in the game, and his professional career is full of impressive victories.
He has a record of 548 wins in his professional gaming career, but his career ended prematurely due to health issues. He is now a professional poker player, but he remains a popular figure in both the StarCraft II and professional gaming communities.
5. Daigo
Umehara Daigo (梅原醍醐), commonly known as "The Beast," is a Japanese esports legend best known for his work in fighting games like Street Fighter. Despite not being part of a team, Daigo has made a name for himself with his incredible competitive achievements and top-notch gaming skills. He is considered one of the greatest fighting game players of all time and is a symbol of perseverance and talent in the international gaming community.
Games: Capcom vs. SNK 2, Guilty Gear XX, Guilty Gear Slash, Hyper Street Fighter II, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Street Fighter IV, Street Fighter V, Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, Street Fighter II Turbo, Street Fighter IV, Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, and Ultra Street Fighter IV.
Daigo, sometimes known by his alternate nickname "The Beast," is considered one of the greatest Street Fighter players of all time. He specializes in 2D fighting games and holds the Guinness World Record for "Most Successful Player in Major Street Fighter Tournaments."
Daigo's exploits in his professional gaming career have become legendary, and he even has a manga series called Daigo the Beast: Umehara Fighting Gamers, which debuted in English in mid-2017.
6. GeT_RiGhT
Christopher Alesund, known by his nickname "GeT_RiGhT," is a Swedish esports player famous for his work in Counter-Strike, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Assetto Corsa. He has played for teams such as Begrip Gaming, Fnatic, Giants Gaming, Lemondogs, Ninjas in Pyjamas, SK Gaming, the Swedish National Team, Team Kinguin, and Team WinFakt. With his outstanding skill and creative playstyle, GeT_RiGhT is considered one of the greatest players in Counter-Strike history and has helped elevate Sweden's standing in the global esports community.
GeT_RiGhT is one of the best competitive gamers to come out of Sweden, and many consider him the greatest Counter-Strike player to have ever played the game. His career started in 2007, and he quickly earned top positions in tournaments.
He took on the role of "Lurker" in most games. Despite not having the best aim, he played consistently and well enough to win top championship titles in most matches.
7. Jaedong
Lee Jae Dong (이제동), better known by his nickname "Jaedong," is a legendary Korean esports player in StarCraft II and StarCraft: Brood War. He has played for prestigious teams such as Team 8, CJ Entus, Evil Geniuses, Hwaesung OZ, Lecaf OZ, and the Korean national team. Jaedong is known as the "Zerg Master" for his outstanding skills and dominance in the StarCraft arena. He is not only one of the icons of Korean eSports but also an inspiration to generations of gamers around the world.
Jaedong is considered one of the best StarCraft players of all time and often plays in the Zerg race. He played StarCraft II professionally until his retirement in 2016.
That same year, he moved on to StarCraft: Brood War, where he consistently won and racked up impressive prize money. He is sometimes known as "The Tyrant" or "The Legend Killer," and streams his games when not competing.
8. Olofmeister
Olof Kajbjer, widely recognized by his gaming handle "olofmeister," is a Swedish esports icon celebrated for his exceptional skills in Counter-Strike, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO), and Assetto Corsa. As a core member of renowned teams like FaZe Clan, Fnatic, LGB eSports, and Five Crowns, he has consistently demonstrated extraordinary adaptability and talent. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the competitive Counter-Strike landscape, earning him a place among the most influential players in the game’s history while showcasing Sweden's dominance in esports.
Among Sweden's elite gamers, Olofmeister is often hailed as one of the all-time greats in CS: GO. Many even argue that he is the greatest player the game has ever seen. Currently representing FaZe Clan, his decorated career includes two Major championships: ESL One Katowice 2015 and ESL One Cologne 2015. In addition to these prestigious titles, he has secured numerous other tournament victories, further cementing his legendary status in the esports world.
9. Moon
Jang Jae Ho (장재호), globally recognized as "Moon," is a renowned South Korean esports player celebrated for his mastery of Warcraft III and StarCraft II. Throughout his career, he has played for prestigious teams like Fnatic, Meet Your Makers, and TyLoo. Dubbed the "5th Race" in Warcraft III for his unparalleled strategic brilliance, Moon is regarded as a pioneer and one of the most impactful figures in real-time strategy gaming, inspiring countless players and fans worldwide.
Moon has devoted years to excelling in both Warcraft III and StarCraft II. While his StarCraft II skills are commendable, he is most famous as the greatest Night Elf player in Warcraft III history. His career highlights include five World Championship titles, three Korean Warcraft III Championships, and four victories in MBCGame's World War series. He also holds the record for the highest lifetime earnings in Warcraft III, further cementing his legendary status. His influence extended beyond the gaming sphere, as he was prominently featured in the esports documentary Beyond the Game.
After stepping away from professional esports to fulfill South Korea’s mandatory military service, Moon returned to competitive gaming with resounding success. Today, he remains an active competitor, continuing to make his mark in tournaments.
10. Fatal1ty
Johnathan Wendel, widely recognized by his gaming alias "Fatal1ty," is a trailblazing figure in esports history, hailing from the United States. Known for his exceptional versatility and dominance across multiple competitive titles, Fatal1ty mastered games such as Aliens versus Predator 2, Counter-Strike, Doom 3, Painkiller, Quake III Arena, Quake 4, QuakeWorld, and Unreal Tournament 2003. As a prominent member of Clan Kapitol, he showcased unmatched skill and strategic brilliance, earning numerous championships and playing a pivotal role in the evolution of professional gaming. His ability to excel across diverse genres cemented his status as one of the most influential players in esports.
Though he retired from professional competition, Fatal1ty's contributions to the gaming world remain unparalleled. Having begun his career in 1999, he achieved an astonishing 12 World Championship titles and was honored with four Player of the Year awards by the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL). He transitioned into entrepreneurship by founding Fatal1ty Inc., a company dedicated to creating high-performance gaming accessories under his brand. Fatal1ty's enduring legacy continues to inspire gamers and industry leaders, leaving an indelible mark on the world of esports.
Conclusion
The esports world has produced countless legends, but only a select few are celebrated as the best esports players of all time. These individuals have not only dominated their respective games with unparalleled skill and strategy but have also redefined the competitive gaming landscape. From mastering diverse titles to securing historic championships, their contributions extend beyond personal achievements. They have inspired generations of players and helped shape esports into the global phenomenon it is today. Figures like Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel, Jang "Moon" Jae Ho, and Olof "olofmeister" Kajbjer exemplify this elite group, each leaving an indelible mark on games like Quake, Warcraft III, and CS: GO. Their legacies transcend the virtual arena, cementing their status as pioneers and icons in the ever-evolving world of esports.
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