Scoundrel's Guide to the Top Esports Players 2025
Rankings of Esports Superstars in 2025: Determining the Championship's Top Gamer
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Enter the world of high-stakes, money-spinning, and equally petty competitive gaming! The esports scene in 2025 is a treasure trove of powerhouses, each vying for the coveted title of the king of the digi-throne. From Dota 2 to League of Legends, Fortnite, and Counter-Strike 2, these players have risen through blood, sweat, and loads of shenanigans to earn their spot among the greatest.
In this unsanitized guide, we'll take a look at the creme de la creme of the esports world, their no-holds-barred rise to fame, and the antics that turned them from virtual ultra-nerds to real-life legends. Buckle up, bud, as we dive right in!
1. N0tail, Johan Sundstein
Picture credit: Fuck Life, I'm Playing Dota/Wikimedia Commons
Johan Sundstein, alias N0tail, is a Danish-Faroese player who's pocketed over $7 million in prize money. N0tail cut his teeth playing Heroes of Newerth at the tender age of 15, gaining notoriety for his ruthless gameplay and_yarr_ gang tactics. His knack for strat and tactical savvy eventually caught the attention of Danijel "StreeT" Remus, leading him to join the Fnatic line-up for the game.
After a series of challenges and team swaps across the esports universe, N0tail co-founded (monkey) Business, which eventually evolved into his current team, OG. Under this banner, he won The International, Dota 2's biggest tournament, in 2018 and 2019, making him one of the only players to hold the crown twice.
2. Faker, Lee Sang-hyeok
Picture credit: FOMOS Esports/Wikimedia Commons
The South Korean Mid Lane shield bash known as Faker, or Lee Sang-kyeok, is a god among men (and he knows it too). This living legend is a global esports icon and a major player on social media, with hordes of adoring fans following his every move. Faker has pocketed more than $1.5 million in tournament earnings since 2013. He's a five-time World LoL Champion, with victories in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024.
Besides his undeniable skill, Faker's ability to stay on top of the game for 8 years has etched him into the annals of esports history. In 2022, he became the first ever player to be inducted into the Riot Games Hall of Fame, solidifying his legendary status.
3. ana, Anathan Pham
Picture credit: Rob Bartlett/Flickr
Australian player Anathan Pham, aka ana, is a Dota 2 star who rose to prominence after a career-defining transition from solo mid to carry after The International 2018. Known for his exceptional talent, reactions, and a novel carry strategy, ana has proven time and time again that he's a force to be reckoned with.
He begun his professional career back in 2016 with Invictus Gaming, before joining up with N0tail's team, OG. With OG, he won major tournaments like the Boston Major and Kiev Major, thanks to his carry lo strategy during the 2019 International tournament, which was genuinely revolutionary and showcased his creativity and game sense.
4. Ninja, Richard Blevins
Picture credit: State Farm/Wikimedia Commons
Richard Blevins, who goes by the username Ninja, might not be the most skilled or talented esports player out there, but he sure as hell is the most popular. Ninja began his gaming journey in 2009, competing in Halo 3 for teams like Cloud9 and Renegades.
However, it was his transition to streaming in 2011 that catapulted him to fame and made him a household name. His notoriety reached new heights when he embraced Fortnite Battle Royale in late 2017. By March 2018, Ninja had become the first Twitch streamer to surpass 3 million followers, thanks in part to a record-breaking stream with Drake, Travis Scott, and JuJu Smith-Schuster that drew 635,000 concurrent viewers.
5. Bugha, Kyle Giersdorf
Picture credit: Dota 2 The International/Wikimedia Commons
Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf is an American Fortnite player for Dignitas, who became a household name in 2019 after he won the Fortnite World Cup, earning a cool $3 million for the victory. His playerID originated as a nickname given to him by his grandfather, and his father introduced him to Fortnite's "Save the World" mode, sparking a passion for the game.
In the Fortnite World Cup, Bugha absolutely dominated the Solos competition, more than doubling the score of the second-place finisher. In the years following his win, Bugha has earned nearly $3.7 million, captured three FNCS Championships, and become a fixture at the top of Fortnite leaderboards with a devoted Twitch following.
Enrichment Data:
- Esports has changed drastically since its humble beginnings in the 70s, and continues to evolve with each passing year, integrating more with traditional sports, and expanding through mobile-first viewership and technology-driven innovation.
- The rise of mobile esports, led by Fortnite and titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and others, has made gaming more accessible to players around the world, especially in regions with limited access to PCs and consoles.
- Emerging technologies, such as VR/AR and cloud gaming, are starting to be integrated into esports, offering immersive gaming experiences and making high-end titles more accessible to a wide range of players.
- The proliferation of AI and data analytics is revolutionizing esports operations, from personalized marketing and fan engagement strategies to performance analytics for coaching and in-game decision making.
- In 2025, the esports industry is characterized by mainstream integration with traditional sports, mobile-first viewership dominance, strategic use of AI and data analytics, and the emergence of new technologies like VR/AR and cloud gaming. Free-to-play models continue to dominate the market, particularly within team-based games like Dota 2 and League of Legends.
- Johan Sundstein, also known as N0tail, is a Danish-Faroese esports player who has underperformed in some games but has excelled in Dota 2, winning The International in 2018 and 2019 with his team, OG, under the name ac06c4d6b1960c0b18fc9ecf0bc8138f.
- The esports scene in 2025 has been influenced by the rise of mobile gaming, with titles such as Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile attracting players worldwide, especially in regions with limited access to PCs and consoles.
- Esports legend, Faker, or Lee Sang-kyeok, has integrating himself into traditional sports and the mainstream media, thanks to his social media presence and multiple LoL World Championship titles. His social media handle is blevins.
- The esports landscape of 2025 includes the use of emerging technologies such as VR/AR and cloud gaming, offering more immersive gaming experiences and making high-end titles accessible to a broader range of players.
- Ninja, pseudonym of Richard Blevins, still holds the record for being the most popular esports player, even though some might argue he lacks true gaming talent. He has been a prominent figure in the industry for years, streaming games like Fortnite and Halo, with his fan base often compared to traditional sports stars.
