Valorant is one of the most hyped games of today, boasting a growing esports scene with some of the best Valorant teams. Valorant took over the first-person shooter genre in just a few years and overshadowed similar titles such as CS:GO, Call of Duty, Overwatch and Rainbow Six Siege. Riot Games struck gold with Valorant, and they’re actively investing in the game to grow its esports ecosystem. As such, the Valorant Champions Tour attracts the best of the best when it comes to Valorant players. Many have switched games to compete here and to make a name for themselves.
Here we’ve decided to take a look at some of the best Valorant players going into the 2023 season. We’ll briefly cover their professional background and then focus on their role in the team and their strengths and weaknesses. Our list will also answer the question of ‘who is the best Valorant player in the world?’
Top 20 Best Valorant Players
The top Valorant players in 2023 are:
| Rank | Alias | Player Name | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yay | Jaccob Whiteaker | Cloud9 |
| 2 | Derke | Nikita Sirmitev | Fnatic |
| 3 | Jinggg | Wang Jing Jie | Paper Rex |
| 4 | Chronicle | Timofey Khromov | Fnatic |
| 5 | Asuna | Peter Mazuryk | 100 Thieves |
| 6 | SUYGETSU | Dmitry Ilyushin | Navi |
| 7 | TenZ | Tyson Ngo | Sentinels |
| 8 | aspas | Erick Santos | LOUD |
| 9 | ScreaM | Adil Benrlitom | Karmine Corp |
| 10 | Leo | Leo Jannesson | Fnatic |
| 11 | BuZz | Byung-chul Yu | DRX |
| 12 | cNed | Mehmet Yağız İpek | Navi |
| 13 | Marved | Jimmy Nguyen | - |
| 14 | Jamppi | Elias Olkkonen | Team Liquid |
| 15 | Zyppan | Pontus Eek | Navi |
| 16 | kiNgg | Francisco Aravena | Leviatán |
| 17 | nAts | Ayaz Akhmetshin | Team Liquid |
| 18 | Sacy | Gustavo Rossi | Sentinels |
| 19 | SugarZ3ro | Shota Watanabe | Zeta Division |
| 20 | bang | Sean Bezerra | 100 Thieves |
Let’s get right into it without further ado, starting with the number one player on the list.
1. yay
2022 has been marked from start to finish by the North American Jaccob “yeah” Whiteaker. Shortly after joining Envy, he made a name for himself in the Valorant world. He was undoubtedly the best Valorant player in the world last year with his incredible talent and consistent performance. Thanks to his fantastic play over a long period of time, he earned the nickname “El Diablo” from both fans and other professional players.
The El Diablo of the Valorant scene will enter the 2023 season wearing a new jersey. With his former team OpTic Gaming unable to secure a partnership for the Valorant Champions Tour, the player transferred to Cloud9 and will look to build on the championships he won last year with his new teammates.
2. Derke
With each new season, we witness Derke’s sure steps towards superstardom. In 2021, when Fnatic was struggling, 19-year-old Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev joined the team as a “promising young player” and has been able to learn from his experiences and improve his performance.
However, despite good performances throughout the year, there is one thing Derke needs: an international championship. Fnatic’s duelist’s skill level is far above the competition, and his team is never in trouble when he’s on his game. Coming into the 2023 season, the teammates Derke has are as strong as ever.
3. Jinggg
VCT 2022 was quite successful for the Asian region. The teams competing in this region were often seen as lagging behind the representatives from North America and Europe. However, Asia-based teams showed everyone that this is not the case. One of these teams was Paper Rex, who finished in second place at Stage 2 Masters Copenhagen.
Paper Rex’s roster is full of talented young players. Each piece of the team has its own specialty, but Jing Jie “Jinggg” Wang shines among them all. Taking on the role of Duelist, he proved that he is one of the best Valorant players on the roster thanks to his kills at critical moments and his ability to take advantage of the most difficult positions. The 19-year-old has a long career ahead of him and is one of the players to watch in the 2023 season.
4. Chronicle
Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov is one of the players who found a new home after his former team failed to make it to the partner organizations. The player, who has been wearing the Gambit Esports jersey since his debut on the big stage, is among the best players in the world in his role. Valornt allows duelists to stand out more easily due to its mechanics. In a game like this, with so many talented duelists and a more supporting role within the team, Chronicle has shown the world what a great player he is over the years.
Joining Fnatic for the 2023 season, the Russian possesses great game knowledge, composure, and an unwavering aim. In addition to all of these attributes, Chronicle’s international match experience makes him an unstoppable force.
5. Asuna
Image Credit: FaZe Clan
Here comes another Duelist, and this time it’s Peter “Asuna” Mazuryk – the most promising player on the 100 Thieves Valorant roster. He has been a part of the club since October 2020, making him the player with the longest tenure. He has remained with the company through good times and bad and is the only member of the current lineup to have represented 100 Thieves abroad.
Despite being renowned for his daring plays against Duelists, Asuna has spent the majority of the year playing an Initiator. The two agents that Asuna frequently chooses are KAY/O & Skye, but he also occasionally chooses Raze, Sage, Fade, or Neon. No matter which one he’s playing – he’s dominating. Asuna is the main fragger for 100 Thieves, and he likes to use Raze’s entire toolkit to crush the enemy teams, utilizing this Agent’s sheer destructive output. He likes to stay in the thick of battle and plays extremely aggressively, which means he’s usually the player who carries the round for 100 Thieves.
6. SUYGETSU
In a list dominated by duelist players, there are also players who shine with their extraordinary plays and take on other roles on the team. One of them is former FPX, new Na’Vi player Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin. Despite taking on the Sentinel or Controller role, the Russian player shined throughout the 2022 season.
SUYGETSU is known for his precise aim and quick reflexes. He is able to quickly assess a situation and make split-second decisions that often result in taking out multiple opponents in a single round. He is also highly skilled in using a variety of agents, each with their own unique abilities, to outmaneuver and outsmart his opponents.
7. TenZ
Image credit: HLTV
Tyson “TenZ” Ngo is a professional Valorant player coming from Canada. He started off his Valorant career in Cloud9 Blue, but has recently found a new home with Sentinels. Nobody can dispute that Tyson Ngo, the alleged “Wonder Boy,” is having a good time in Valorant. Although his experience in CS:GO was not good, he has made up for it in Valorant. He initially belonged to Cloud9 Blue, but eventually joined the Sentinels. The squad was invincible at that point, and the awards started flooding in.
There is no denying that TenZ deserves the most of the credit, even in this team game. His plays and decisive moments were simply too incredible. Additionally, he has a keen sense of the team, which makes him adaptive rather than a selfish duelist. TenZ will primarily be playing Jett, Yoru, and Chamber. Whichever agent he’s playing, TenZ is always a powerhouse capable of taking down anyone he crosses paths with. TenZ is a monster at fragging. He’s fast and unpredictable and loves to duel players. His unpredictability, and his quick reactions, make him one of the most feared Duelists in NA. He’s not a selfish carry and will read the game and adapt to the team. TenZ is also one of the best Valorant streamers.
8. Aspas
The Brazilian competitive arena conquered Valorant’s competitive scene in 2022. In previous years, Brazil-based organizations fell short while trying to achieve notable success in global tournaments, but LOUD has broken this bad trend, winning Valorant Champions 2022. Erick “aspas” Santos was the main player in this huge success.
He rose to fame in the year 2022 for his impressive gameplay and clutch performances in high-stakes tournaments. Valorant is a tactical shooter game that requires a combination of precision aiming, strategic thinking, and teamwork. Aspas has shown exceptional skills in all of these areas, consistently delivering top-notch performances and leading his team to victory.
9. ScreaM
Image Credit: ScreaM
Adil “ScreaM” Benrlitom is sometimes referred to as “the headshot machine” in gaming. He makes perfect and delightful one-tap shots with a dot crosshair. He is regarded as one of the best Valorant players because of his lethal aim in Valorant and CS:GO. Before moving over to Valorant, he used to be feared for his headshots in CS:GO, and nothing has changed in that regard in Valorant. He’s still as deadly as ever, and his speed and precision are just out of this world.
Since ScreaM found a new home, Karmine Corp, for the 2023 season, he will try to bring all of his expertise from the competitive scene to carry his team to victory. He is renowned for his ability to mow down opponents with pinpoint accuracy. He frequently appears in the Duelist position, and when he employs Raze, Jett, and, shockingly, Phoenix, his opponents suffer terrible losses.
10. Leo
The Swedish player was phenomenal throughout 2022, even though he couldn’t get a huge team achievement. With each passing day, the role of Initiator increases its importance in Valorant’s competitive field. One of the biggest reasons for this is players like Leo “Leo” Jannesson, who not only contributes to his team in terms of utility but also makes great frag contributions.
Leo is one of those who left the jersey he’s worn for many years to join a new team. He joined Fnatic, one of the biggest organizations in Europe, and has already won the Superdome tournament with his new team. If Leo can keep up his performance from last season, he will be one of the best players of 2023.
11. BuZz
South Korea has a weight in international tournaments. Teams from this region play the game systematically, which makes their opponents scared of them. This particular playstyle has helped DRX, in particular, to gain a foothold in the Valorant world. However, there are times when individual performances are needed rather than systematic play. That’s when Byung-chul “BuZz” Yu, the best player in the region, puts his team on his back.
The 20-year-old generated a 1.21 Rating, 244.9 ACS and 1.29 K/D in the last season. Although there are many talented players in Korea, no one has yet challenged BuZz in regional tournaments, and he has easily led his team to championships. His goal for the 2023 season is nothing less than winning a global tournament.
12. cNed
Image credit: cNed
Mehmet “cNed” İpek is most recognised for being one of the most well-liked players in the Valorant Turkey scene. Around the age of six, his older brother, a professional Counter-Strike player, exposed him to video games. Consequently, cNed played a wide variety of games from a young age, but first-person shooters were the ones that most piqued his interest.
Since going pro, cNed has proven his skills in various competitive games, and he most recently made the successful transition to Valorant as part of his esports career, which began with Counter-Strike and continues with Zula.
2022 wasn’t good for cNed as his former team, Acend, struggled with outside problems. However, the young star joined Na’Vi, who acquired the ex-FPX roster and is ready to return to those glory days back in 2021.
13. Marved
OpTic Gaming had a fantastic 2022. OpTic Gaming left its mark on the season with regional achievements and international trophies. With a superstar like Yay on the team, other players took a bit of a backseat, but there was still one name that made a name for itself: Jimmy “Marved” Nguyen. The controller player of the team always showed up whenever his team needed it.
His excellent scoring contribution to his team makes him an exceptional player, despite taking on a more passive role as a Controller. Apart from that, his ability to keep his cool in clutch moments and win important rounds for his team makes him stand out even more.
14. Jamppi
Although he had some difficulties transitioning from CS:GO to Valorant, taking on the role of Duelist, Elias “Jamppi” Olkkonen has found himself recently. The 21-year-old is one of the few players who fit the definition of a flex player. This makes him indispensable in a fast-changing game like Valorant.
Despite adapting to different roles, the young player has no problem showing stable performance and always manages to stand up in crucial games. Team Liquid has also changed its roster for the 2023 season, signing some big names. It remains to be seen what Jamppi’s role will be in the changing roster. But we know that whatever his team needs, Jamppi will fill that gap.
15. Zyppan
Image credit: Zyppaan
Pontus “Zyppan” Eek is, to put it mildly, a remarkable player. Zyppan has been one of the rising stars in EU Valorant. This Swedish 20-year-old monster now wears Natus Vincere’s jersey, and his Raze plays are a sight to behold. Although he’s mostly playing as a Duelist, he tends to swap to Sage from time to time, and even then, he’s as deadly as ever.
Zyppan is a beast that rules the esports industry with his unbridled confidence and savage aim. He wants to take it all. This professional has a crazy ACS of 230 and a 52% FBSR. Now that this athlete has such incredible stats, no one can ignore them. Zyppan is one of the best Valorant players whose mere presence on a site would be enough to alarm opposing teams, whether it be an eco round or a complete purchase.
16. kiNgg
In most esports games, the South American continent is seen as a region with talented players, but it lags behind its rivals when it comes to playing as a team. However, this is not the case for the Valorant scene. Apart from Brazilian teams, LATAM-based organizations have also shown in the past year that they are ambitious in this sport. Especially Leviatán, a newcomer to the scene.
The name that attracted more attention than anyone else in the blue and white team was Francisco “kiNgg” Aravena. He added a near-perfect Valornat Champions 2022 show on top of his stellar performance throughout 2022 and finished the tournament at the top of the rating rankings. kiNgg’s ability to play multiple agents at a high level has given his team a huge trump card in important matches. We’ll hear his name often in the 2023 season’s global tournaments.
17. nAts
Image credit: nAts
Ayaz Akhmetshin, alias “nAts”, is a new player of Team Liquid – and also their new secret weapon. He’s an absolute monster with Viper and Cypher, his go-to gaming partners. nAts swaps between the two depending on the needs of his team. Before nAts arrived, the controller and sentinel roles were monotonous. He changed the game’s metas and played with agents that many other players wouldn’t. Numerous settings that he developed in his Viper game were chosen by many teams and are still in use today.
Additionally, nobody anticipates elite athletes using an agency like Cypher in competitions. The cause is that Cypher cameras and traps are set up in predictable locations, making it simple for adversaries to bypass them.
When it comes to 2v1 or 3v1 tight scenarios, he is one of Valorant’s top players. His versatility will put fear into enemy teams, where they won’t know what to expect until it hits them.
18. Sacy
Defending champion Gustavo “Sacy” Rossi enters the 2023 season with a brand new challenge. Leaving his native Brazil, the player has joined the Sentinels, one of the world’s leading organisations, in a completely different structure. This new challenge will not only change Sacy’s play style, but also the way she communicates with her teammates.
The 25-year-old was the main architect of LOUD’s outstanding performance in 2022. As the captain of the team, Sacy was able to represent his team in the best possible way, both on and off the pitch. The veteran could stay comfortable no matter the situation, and his sharp aim helped him have an excellent year. He will undoubtedly be among the best players in the region for his new team in 2023.
19. SugarZ3ro
Shota “SugarZ3ro” Watanabe is a master of mind tricks and the chief Controller for Zeta Division. He is renowned for providing his squad with outstanding smoke assistance, and he has even successfully held onto a couple of impossible rounds with the use of the flawless utility.
Although SugarZ3ro plays the part of a Controller, his ACS stat is amazing. Many of Zeta Division’s victories on the circuit thus far have been made possible in large part by him. Despite being one of the world’s best-kept secrets. He will have the opportunity to display his incredible valour in the top Valorant tournaments.
20. Bang
Sean “bang” Bezerra, among the youngest players in VCT Champions Istanbul, will represent 100 Thieves as their youngest member at only 18. Bang was one of just two players from the previous roster to be kept, and his retention has been crucial to the organization’s reconstruction.
Bang, the team’s youngest member, is well renowned for being a skilled Controller who performs one of the most important in-game tasks. He started as Omen in his Valorant career before switching to Astra. However, Bang is currently observed alternating among all four Controller Agents throughout his VCT matches.
Thanks for reading our top Valorant players list
This has been our top 20 list of the best Valorant players in 2023. Stay tuned for more news and reviews if you’re looking for the best Valorant odds and all things related to Valorant betting.
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