The HLTV Awards 2025 delivered a clear message: dominance, consistency, and late-season momentum still matter most in Counter-Strike. From BIG EQUIPA’s women’s breakthrough to Vitality’s historic year and molodoy’s meteoric rise, the winners in Belgrade reflected a season defined by elite-level performance.
BIG EQUIPA and ASTRA Crowned Women’s Team and Player of the Year
A powerful finish to the season propelled BIG EQUIPA to the top, earning them the Women’s Team of the Year award. The European squad surged after an August roster overhaul and immediately found their rhythm.
The turnaround began with a victory at ELITE FE Cup 6, followed by a runner-up finish at the Female Pro League Season 1 Finals. BIG EQUIPA then sealed their statement year by lifting the ESL Impact League Season 8 trophy after defeating MIBR fe in the final.
Source: HLTV. Edited photo
At the heart of that rise was in-game leader Mayline-Joy “ASTRA” Champliaud, who took home the Women’s Player of the Year award. Joining BIG EQUIPA in August after stints with Prototype Blaze and Zerance, ASTRA made an immediate impact.
Despite carrying the IGL responsibilities, she averaged a 1.20 rating during her tenure and topped the scoreboard for her team at both ELITE FE Cup 6 and the Female Pro League S1 Finals. Her leadership culminated in an ESL Impact title — a fitting end to a standout individual season.
MIBR fe finished second in the Team of the Year category, while FURIA fe, champions of ESL Impact Season 7, claimed third. In the player rankings, ASTRA’s teammate Wiktoria “vicu” Janicka secured second place, with Bruna “bizinha” Marvila of FURIA fe rounding out the top three.
The results also marked the end of an era, snapping the three-year stranglehold held by Imperial Valkyries and Ana “ANa” Dumbravă on both women’s awards.
Source: HLTV. Edited photo
Vitality Named Team of the Year After Historic 2025
If any team embodied sustained excellence in 2025, it was Vitality. Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and company claimed the Team of the Year award after an extraordinary campaign that produced nine trophies and playoff appearances at every event they attended.
The season began with the signing of Robin “ropz” Kool and a modest quarter-final exit at BLAST Bounty Season 1. From there, Vitality went into overdrive.
They rattled off seven consecutive titles at IEM Katowice, ESL Pro League Season 21, BLAST Open Lisbon, IEM Melbourne, BLAST Rivals Season 1, IEM Dallas, and capped the run with a Major victory in Austin.
Although the latter part of the year didn’t quite match that blistering peak, Vitality never dropped out of contention. They added another ESL Pro League title in Season 22 and closed the year by lifting a second Major trophy in Budapest, cementing their claim as the year’s best team.
Spirit finished second after winning four events, including IEM Cologne, while MOUZ placed third following a season packed with deep playoff runs and multiple grand final appearances.
Source: HLTV. Edited photo
molodoy Claims Rookie of the Year After Breakout Season
The Rookie of the Year award went to Danil “molodoy” Golubenko, whose rapid ascent made him one of 2025’s defining stories.
Signed by FURIA in April, the Kazakh AWPer wasted no time announcing himself at the top level. He posted a 1.17 rating across the year and played a pivotal role in titles at FISSURE Playground 2, Thunderpick World Championship, IEM Chengdu, and BLAST Rivals Season 2.
molodoy’s impact went beyond trophies. He earned MVP honours at FISSURE Playground 2 and IEM Chengdu, picked up EVP awards at IEM Cologne and Thunderpick World Championship, and finished No. 6 in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of the Year list.
Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin placed second after an explosive debut season with Falcons, while Drin “makazze” Shaqiri finished third following a strong second half of the year with Natus Vincere.
By joining a list that includes m0NESY, NertZ, and donk, molodoy has firmly announced himself as one of Counter-Strike’s next elite talents.
Source: HLTV. Edited photo
Awards That Defined 2025
The HLTV Awards 2025 highlighted more than just individual brilliance — they showcased how timing, adaptation, and consistency shaped the competitive year. Whether it was BIG EQUIPA’s late surge, Vitality’s relentless dominance, or molodoy’s breakout, these winners set the benchmark heading into the next CS era.