Top Players to Watch at the Perfect World Shanghai Major

Counter-Strike Majors are the ultimate stage for players to prove themselves, with thousands of fans cheering every frag, clutch, and hard-fought round. As the second Major of the year in Shanghai approaches, the excitement is building, making it the perfect time to spotlight the players who are ready to make waves at CS2’s most prestigious event.

This year has been a breath of fresh air for Counter-Strike, with rising stars like Danil "donk" Kryshkovets stealing the spotlight. The Russian rifler has been unstoppable in the first half of 2024, leading Team Spirit and going head to head with Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut and Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov in the race for the year’s best player. With the Major on the horizon, the debate over who deserves the crown could finally be settled.

The RMRs showed that experience still holds weight, with some underdogs securing their place in the Opening Stage of the Perfect World Shanghai Major. Combining veterans with fresh talent, these are the five players we’re most excited to see in action.

The race towards the best player in the world

The Shanghai Major, CS2’s final S-tier event of the year, promises to be a defining moment in the race for the title of the best player in the world. At its core lies the intense rivalry between ZywOo, donk, m0NESY, three players whose performances could decide both the fate of their teams and the narrative of 2024.

M0nesy, zywoo and donk at the shanghai major rmr (credits: Perfect World // Strafe)

donk, the rising star

donk began the year as a breakout star, but the second half hasn’t been as kind to him or Team Spirit. Their struggles were on full display during the Europe B RMR, where they barely qualified through the 7th place decider with a 4-2 record.

Yet, donk’s individual form has remained undeniable. He topped the RMR with standout stats: 97.9 ADR, 76.7% KAST, and 0.90 KPR, leading in both total and opening kills. Even when Team Spirit stumbles, donk continues to prove he’s one of the best.

ZywOo, the consistent game changer

ZywOo, on the other hand, needs no introduction. Known for his incredible consistency and the lack of cultural impact—his strength comes out entirely in the server. Vitality’s talisman continues to deliver when it matters, though his team has had its fair share of struggles, faltering in the final stages of tournaments like the BLAST Premier Fall Final and IEM Rio.

However, with a Major title already under his belt, ZywOo knows how to rise to the occasion, and Shanghai could be his platform to seal a second Major win.

mONESY, the prodigy looking to bounce back

Then there’s m0NESY, the "Yellow Flash" and arguably the front runner for the best player of the year. While donk and ZywOo have two trophies each in 2024, m0NESY leads the pack with three trophies and MVP titles.

However, the young Russian AWPer recently faced a rare slump, recording his lowest rating in two years during the latest RMR. For m0NESY, the Shanghai Major presents the ultimate opportunity to bounce back and remind the world why he’s considered one of the game’s brightest stars.

Lucky, the veteran returns to the big stage

Lucas "Lucky" Chastang first made a name for himself in 2019, joining G2 Esports and achieving several podium finishes on the international stage. However, his career since has been a rollercoaster. Struggles with consistency saw him move to smaller teams like Team Heretics and HEET before landing with his current roster, 3DMAX.

While Lucky has largely flown under the radar in recent years, his outstanding performance at the Europe B RMR has reignited interest. His impact and fragging ability were instrumental in securing 3DMAX’s first Major appearance since 2015—a significant milestone for the organization.

During the RMR, Lucky posted remarkable stats, including 101 ADR, 84.2% KAST, and 1.02 KPR, ranking among the top performers across all regions. As 3DMAX heads to the Shanghai Major, the spotlight is on Lucky to see if he can maintain this level of play against the world’s best. Was this a one-off peak, or is Lucky ready to compete on Counter-Strike’s biggest stage once again? Only time will tell.

malbsMd makes his first step on the Major

The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 will be a historic event, with 25 players making their Major debut, including G2 Esports’ rising star, Mario "malbsMd" Samayoa.

Since joining G2 in June, malbsMd has quickly become a cornerstone of the roster, playing a key role in securing important victories. His clutch performance in the deciding round against Team Spirit was pivotal in G2’s qualification for the Shanghai Major, proving his ability to perform under pressure.

In just five months with G2, the Guatemalan rifler has already helped the team claim two BLAST trophies, including the World Final, and secure a spot at the year’s second Major. While bringing on a North American prospect was a calculated risk, it’s paid off as malbsMd has thrived alongside some of the game’s biggest stars, like Nikola “NiKo” Kovač.

As an entry fragger, malbsMd excels at giving G2 the early advantage in rounds. His aggressive style has made him one of the top performers in this role, sitting just behind ZywOo and m0NESY in opening kill success rate.

Choosing just five players from the 120 competing in the tournament does leave out some incredible talent, but the players highlighted here are sure to make the Major a spectacle. You can count on them to step up and deliver when it truly matters.

Featured Image source is exclusive to  Strafe Esports

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Top Teams to Watch at the Perfect World Shanghai Major

Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024: Format, Schedule and More

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