2024 has been a groundbreaking year for VALORANT. From record-breaking kills to breathtaking plays, the competitive scene has been dominated by extraordinary talent. Players like ZmjjKK, t3xture, and Derke have redefined the boundaries of skill and strategy, standing as true vanguards of the era.
This guide celebrates the best VALORANT players of 2024 who delivered unforgettable performances and led their teams to new heights on the global stage.
Note: Our picks of the top VALORANT esports players of 2024 are subjective, combining measurable data like ACS (Average Combat Score), KD (Kill/Death) ratios, and KPR (Kills Per Round) with qualitative factors, such as player impact, agent versatility, and form.
So Who Are The Best VALORANT Players?
ZmjjKK Is The Best VALORANT Player Of 2024
After an extraordinary year, Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang has cemented his place as the best VALORANT player in the world. The Chinese duelist was instrumental to EDward Gaming’s victory at VALORANT Champions 2024, beating titans like Sentinels, Leviatán, and ultimately Team Heretics in the Grand Final.
A testament to his dominance, ZmjjKK was crowned MVP after delivering a head-turning performance. He set a record-breaking 111 kills in a Bo5 match (a record previously held by t3xture with 105 kills) and an incredible 250 ACS, cementing his name in VALORANT history.
ZmjjKK has been the cornerstone of EDG’s success, leading them to victory at VCT 2024: China Stages while securing a respectable 5th-6th at Masters Madrid and 7th-8th at Masters Shanghai tournaments. Even more impressive, ZmjjKK’s rise from the Tier 3 scene to world champion is gamer’s fairytale, making him a global VALORANT icon.
Not convinced? Check out this incredible 4k by ZmjjKK at VCT Champions 2024:
Other Top VALORANT Players Of 2024
We identified the crème de la crème, but let’s look at more top VALORANT esports players. These pros have not only delivered standout performances in 2024 but also set new standards for what it means to dominate.
Zachary “zekken” Patrone
Sentinels’ duelist Zachary “zekken” Patrone is a VALORANT pro worthy of proper recognition. At just 19 years old, he made history as the first Filipino to win a VCT global event and tied Demon1’s record with 101 kills at Masters Madrid—the most frags ever in a single international series.
Since moving to the duelist role, Zekken has driven the Sentinels’ success, recognized by clutch plays with Raze (260 ACS, 1.2 KD), Jett (230 ACS, 1.1 KD), and Neon (270 ACS, 1.3 KD). As an initiator, his performance with agents like Sova (222 ACS, 1.5 KD) has been equally impressive.
In addition to his mechanical mastery, Zekken is adept at identifying win conditions and changing his playstyle as required, whether it’s using Raze’s Showstopper to force enemies out of position or pulling off a 1v5 clutch to close the round. He also sets the tempo for his team, fearlessly leading from the front lines.
Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev
Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev was a linchpin for Fnatic in 2024, wielding the Operator and abusing his impeccable mechanical skill to devastating effect. He is undoubtedly one of the most decorated duelists and is a globally recognized top performer at practically every event, helping Fnatic win both VCT 2024: EMEA Stages.
Though his team only placed 5th-6th at VALORANT Champions, his impact was still felt. He tied with KRÜ Esports’ keznit for the second-highest ACS (250.0) and with SEN zmjjKK for the fourth-highest KPR (0.86) at Seoul.
After an illustrious competitive career with Fnatic, Derke has since joined Team Vitality’s newly created EMEA superteam. He joins Kimmie “Kicks” Laasner, Nikita “trexx” Cherednichenko, Felipe “Less” Basso, and IGL Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel.
Kim “t3xture” Na-ra
Gen.G’s Kim “t3xture” Na-ra is undoubtedly one of Asia’s top duelists, dazzling fans with genius-level plays. Most notably, his mastery of agents like Jett (234 ACS) and Raze (236 ACS) strikes fear into opponents and earns him accolades like VCT Pacific MVP and Duelist of the Year.
He previously held the record for most kills in a Bo5 series (105), which he set during a hard-fought 2-3 loss to Paper Rex. t3xture’s consistency, adaptability, and elite game sense propelled Gen.G to regional dominance, securing 2nd at Masters Madrid and 1st at Masters Shanghai.
Erick “aspas” Santos
Brazilian phenom Erick “aspas” Santos lit up the stage for Leviatán. Initially a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player, he quickly racked up awards and broke records in VALORANT thanks to his outstanding gameplay. This carried through to 2024.
He placed 3rd at VCT 2024: Americas Stage 1, smashing the record for most kills on a map with 47 kills against Sentinels. aspas also led Leviatán to a Stage 2 Major victory, earning the VCT Americas MVP and Duelist of the Year honors. His stellar performances continued with a third-place finish at VCT Champions.
In 2024, aspas showcased his mastery of agents like Jett (0.92 KPR), Neon (0.84 KPR), and Raze (0.91 KPR), boasting a 251 CAS and 1.4 KD throughout the year. Looking ahead, he will play for MIBR in the VCT 2025 season alongside Arthur “artzin” Araujo, Eduardo “xenom” Soeiro, Gabriel “cortezia” Cortez, and IGL Agustin “Nozwerr” Ibarra.
How We Chose These Top Players
Ranking the top VALORANT players of 2024 was no easy task, but we tried our best to be as objective as possible. We assessed each player’s performance across major tournaments like VALORANT Champions, Masters, and VCT Stages, focusing on key metrics such as ACS, KD ratio, and KPR, along with any record-breaking achievements.
In addition to these stats, we weighed qualitative factors, including a player’s consistency, versatility, and overall impact on their team’s success to deliver a balanced evaluation. Although opinions may vary, these players undeniably stood out as the best in VALORANT for 2024.
GGWP: Celebrating The Top Players Of 2024 And Beyond
As 2024 comes to a close, it’s clear that these players are defining the future of VALORANT. From ZmjjKK’s record-breaking plays to aspas’s unstoppable rise, each of these pros has already left an enduring legacy.
But what makes us so excited is that their stories won’t end there. With fresh faces climbing the ranks and new metas emerging, we’re sure that 2025 will feature even more unforgettable moments. Who will dominate the global stage next? We’ll be waiting to see!
You can watch the 2025 season unfold right here at Thunderpick. Visit our VALORANT betting page to live stream and bet on the latest tournaments with your favorite crypto!
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