Images: ESL, Riot Games, Perfect World Esports
These are the players that shone the brightest in 2024 in Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League of Legends, and VALORANT.
Every year, thousands of esports players battle it out for supremacy in their respective titles. But only one team can stand above all the rest, be it by dominating the entire year or winning their title's annual world championship title. In 2024, here are the GosuGamers writing team's picks for player of the year in Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League of Legends, and VALORANT.
Dota 2: Neta “33” Shapira
Image: ESL
By Kurt Lozano
Neta “33” Shapira has one of the most interesting storylines of any player who raised Dota 2's Aegis of Champions by winning its annual world championship tournament, The International (TI). After winning his first Aegis in 2022 with 
Tundra Esports, 33 joined 
Team Liquid for the 2024 season in order to win a second world championship trophy for both himself and his new organisation.
However, Liquid's results in the first half of the year weren't exactly promising for a team that just added a TI champion to its roster. With the team's prospects for championship contention dwindling and a desire to build his own squad, 33 informed Liquid of his desire to leave once TI 2024 concludes. There were no hard feelings and both sides agreed on a mutual separation, only for Liquid to go on to win TI 2024 in dominant fashion with a 3-0 sweep over rivals Gaimin Gladiators in the grand finals.
With Liquid's victory, 33 became the tenth player in the history of Dota 2 to win the Aegis twice and the first to win it on two different teams. Not only that, his unique playstyle on the offlane role once again proved its worth as a key piece in a championship run, thus cementing 33 as our player of the year pick for Dota 2 in 2024 and one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
Even after their victory in TI 2024, 33 and Liquid still went ahead with their mutual separation. Dota 2's latest two-time TI winner is now back with the team he won his first Aegis with, Tundra, and will be looking to further build on his legacy next year.
CS2: Danil “Donk” Kryshkovets
Image: Perfect World Esports
By Kurt Lozano
Danil “Donk” Kryshkovets put on what is undoubtedly the greatest rookie season ever in the history of Counter-Strike in 2024. After joining 
Team Spirit from its Academy roster in the tail end of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's lifespan in 2023, Donk took the scene by storm with his explosive playstyle in the entry fragger position. Most entry fraggers are expected to claim information, and a kill or two if they're lucky, in exchange for their life in every round, but Donk regularly wins rounds by himself in what is usually a sacrificial role.
Donk and Spirit were on fire to start 2024 by winning Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2024 in February. The rest of the year was a bit of a rollercoaster, however, as both Donk and his team had their fair share of disappointing stretches interspersed with big wins at events like the BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024 in June and BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024 #2 in September. But Donk and Spirit peaked when it mattered the most at the end of the year, by winning the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 after a legendary showdown with FaZe Clan in the grand finals.
At just 17-years old, Donk carved his name into the history of Counter-Strike esports by becoming the youngest player to win both a Major and the Major MVP award. Many of the game's biggest names shone bright in 2024, but none of them have dominated the spotlight quite like Donk, our pick for player of the year for Counter-Strike 2 in 2024.
League of Legends: Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
Image: Riot Games
By Anna Bernardo
The League of Legends (LoL) esports scene had many standout players this year, but 
Sang-hyeok “Faker” Lee once again stole the spotlight. 
T1 faced a challenging year, with Faker visibly feeling the pressure at times, and the team nearly missing Worlds. However, they made an extraordinary comeback at Worlds, clinching their fifth LoL World Championship title.
While T1’s roster shone collectively, Faker’s leadership was pivotal in keeping the team united and navigating them through tough matches. And despite being one of League’s oldest active player and dealing with recurring wrist issues, he worked tirelessly, consulting with doctors and therapists to improve his posture and minimize pain.
Faker’s effectiveness was amplified by the support of T1’s staff and his teammates, the celebrated #ZOFGK lineup: Choi “Zeus” Woo-je, Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun, Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong, and Ryu “Keria” Min-seok. Even when he faltered, his team’s backing enabled crucial comebacks.
This synergy led to some of the most clutch, game-saving plays, securing T1’s fifth title and the roster’s second consecutive title. Faker’s consistent brilliance also earned him the Most Valuable Player Award at the Worlds 2024 Finals.
VALORANT: ZmjjKK (EDward Gaming)
Image: Riot Games
By Tommy Makmur
Yongkang “ZmjjKK” Zheng, more commonly known as Kangkang, is our player of the year pick for VALORANT. The Chinese professional led 
EDward Gaming to the peak of VALORANT Esports, VALORANT Champions 2024, in Seoul and performed miraculously in the tournament. Yes, he looked shaky at the beginning of the tournament, but his ability to rack up Ace after Ace, win after win, and record after record, undoubtedly made him a monster in Champions 2024 Seoul.
ZmjjKK led in first-kill success rate and the number of first kills, making him the best high-risk, high-reward player in the world right now. His performance in Seoul topped off with a world record in the tournament's grand final, as he grabbed 111 kills in a single best-of-five series. From the unexpected wins to the undeniable achievements, ZmjjKK is our pick for player of the year for VALORANT.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang: Duane “Kelra” Pillas
Image: MOONTON Games
By Tommy Makmur
The choice between 
Fnatic ONIC PH's two biggest stars, 
Duane “Kelra” Pillas and King “K1ngkong” Perez, for the 2024 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang player of the year was a tough one. Both were solid, flashy, and might be the best in their position right now. However, our pick goes to Kelra because he is the gold standard. He is the best Gold Laner in MLBB right now, by a mile, and also arguably the best MLBB player in the world.
Kelra's plays have been strong. In all grand finals that he participated in this year, namely in the MPL Philippines Season 14 and the M6 World Championship, Kelra won the series MVP honours. The nigh-unbeatable king of the gold lane also holds a 100% win rate record on Bruno in the M6 World Championship. Truly, Kelra is the gold standard of MLBB right now.
