Everyone knows the GOAT debate : Aspas Tenz Chronicle Less Yay (HM to Sacy, the most decorated)
This thread is not about that. It's about who has the best chance of being in the goat discussion in the future, disregarding those players listed above who are already in it.
Its not ordered outside of the general sections, AND ITS OPINION
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Top Contenders (Most likely)
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Zekken - He already MVP'd a trophy winning run, and had an insane resume long before that. He is also in a prime position to tear it up next year, and might even get another. Edit: some of yall musta forgot
Leo - Might already be the greatest init ever (although im still gonna give that to Sacy). But I think we all know he can get alot done in the future
KangKang - Definitely passes the eye test. A World Champion with the bo5 kill record from that grand finals. Would probably need at least another finals or 2 more top 3 finishes to be in the discussion, as his only real run was his most recent. Definitely a possibility.
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Contenders (Could happen if things go right)
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Demon1 - Already a world champion, with the greatest performance in modern val history. A bad 2024 sets him back a bit, but he is definitely gifted enough to be able to do it in the future if things go right
Mako - In some people's eyes he's already the greatest smokes ever, a trophy would easily seal the deal. And another finals after that might be enough to convince people that he's the greatest regardless of role. DRX has been cooking recently so he's in a good spot right now (in my eyes at least).
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Fringe Contenders (not particularly likely or unlikely)
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Jawgemo - Already a world champion and the greatest raze ever. He would have to MVP a trophy winning run to seal the deal. Most people say that he's in the best position to do this of all the players currently listed, but it's way easier said than done
Derke - He has the stats, but we have 4 years of evidence that he's not good enough to be the best player on a trophy winning team. Like Jawgemo, he would have to MVP a trophy winning run to be in serious goat convos. Way easier said than done.
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Unlikely (distant from the GOAT debate + current situation makes it unlikely to get closer)
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Pancada - MVP'd a champs run, on arguably the greatest team ever. Thats a huge achievement, but he's definitely in a rough spot rn that makes it unlikely he'll do much in the future. And he'd have to do alot
Nats - is on Liquid
Texture/Meteor - Already (co)MVP'd a trophy and was in a finals before that, but like pancada and nats, are not really in a position for success right now. And they'd still have to do alot.
Cned - Is a champion but.... it hasn't been good since then and I just don't alot in store in the future.
Shao - MVP'd a trophy but... it hasn't been good since then and I just don't see alot in store in the future
Alfajer - MVP'd a trophy but... He's not even the best on his own team, and I don't even think he is currently better than Benjy. He'd have to do alot.
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Top Future Talents (not even close to the goat debate, but has the talent to get there eventually)
Primmie - Arguably ALREADY the most talented player in the world mechanically (although i need to see him more on the awp before i give him that)
Oxy - is on C9 (the only thing holding him back)
Riens - already had a phenomenal year individually, looks poised to match it again
Cryo - He's nuts. Was one of the greatest chambers back in the day, was/is a great jett, awper, and rifler. Insanely Talented, but probably needs a better agent pool/ role fix.
Verno - Just compare his tracker to primmie's. His TRS score, ACS, KAST, and HS% are neck-and-neck. The talent is definitely there and the ceiling is HIGH.
Sayf - He's nuts. Imo the best EMEA duelist pure skill wise. Needs to start being nuts at internationals. And continue playing lol
Sayonara - He's nuts. The talent is there
Reduxx - He's nuts. The talent is there
Meiy - He's nuts. The talent is there
Hyunmin - He's nuts. The talent is there
Flashback - He's nuts. The talent is there