Counter-Strike 2 isn’t just for esports pros – it’s also become a favorite pastime for celebrities around the world. From world-class athletes to entertainers, more and more famous faces are opening CS2 cases or queuing for a competitive match. Here are some of the most well-known public figures who play CS2.
Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr. is easily one of the most iconic footballers of the modern era. From Barcelona to PSG and now Al Hilal, he’s built a legendary career, winning league titles, a Champions League, and even Olympic gold with Brazil.
But off the pitch, Neymar’s love for Counter-Strike is just as intense. He’s a co-owner of FURIA – Brazil’s top CS2 team – and occasionally streams the game to over 2.5 million followers on Twitch. He’s also been spotted at CS events, showing he’s not just a fan, but part of the scene.
Zhou Guanyu
Zhou Guanyu made history as the first full-time Formula 1 driver from China. While he’s still chasing his first F1 podium, his success in Formula 2 and current seat with Ferrari have made him a standout name in motorsports.
He’s also a known CS2 fan. Zhou played in the 2024 Shanghai Major showmatch and even shared a shot of his Aquamarine Revenge AK-47 on Instagram, tagging pro player cadiaN. Zhou is clearly more than a casual player with his inventory that contains knives, gloves, and other premium items.
MrBeast
Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson is the biggest YouTuber in the world, best known for outrageous challenges, viral stunts, and life-changing giveaways. With 400 million subscribers across his channels, he’s become a fixture of modern internet culture.
He’s dabbled in CS:GO before, even uploading a video of himself playing. While he doesn’t grind CS2 publicly, he recently made headlines for selling off his old skin inventory – showing he’s no stranger to the Counter-Strike economy. If the word “money” is somewhere – he definitely knows about it.
Casemiro
Casemiro is a world-class footballer best known for his dominant years as a defensive midfielder at Real Madrid, where he won five UEFA Champions League titles and built a reputation as one of the best in his position. He currently plays for Manchester United, and is one of the most respected players of his generation.
He’s also an active part of the CS2 community. Casemiro owns Case Esports, a professional esports organization with a CS2 division, and occasionally streams on Twitch to over 146,000 followers. He’s even ranked Level 9 on FACEIT – not bad for someone who spends most of his time bossing midfields instead of bombsites.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko is a professional footballer from Ukraine, known for his versatility as a fullback and midfielder. He currently plays for Arsenal in the Premier League and has previously won multiple league titles with Manchester City. Zinchenko is also a key figure for the Ukrainian national team.
He also co-owns Passion UA, an esports team that qualified for the 2024 Shanghai Major. Zinchenko once stood in for the squad during an official match and held his own with a 0.83 rating. For a stand-in performance against actual professionals, that’s pretty impressive.
Nikola Jokić
Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets’ star center, is already one of the most decorated players in NBA history – three MVP awards, a championship, and plenty of mind-blowing stat lines to his name. Despite showing little to no passion on the court, Jokić is a contender for one of the game’s greatest.
Though he’s famously private, Jokić has shared that he plays CS2 with fellow NBA player Nikola Vučević. He’s also a known fan of games like League of Legends, so it wouldn’t be too surprising if he’s still actively playing Counter-Strike in his spare time.
Soulja Boy
DeAndre “Soulja Boy” Way became a household name with the viral hit “Crank That” in 2007, becoming one of the first artists to blow up through internet culture. Since then, he’s done everything from music to tech ventures.
He’s also played CS live on Twitch, where he has over 870,000 followers. At one point, he even posted his Steam profile on Twitter to let fans join his Counter-Strike matches. It’s no secret that he’s a gaming enthusiast, and CS is one of his all-time favorites.
Deadmau5
Deadmau5 – real name Joel Zimmerman – is one of the most recognizable figures in electronic music. Known for his signature mouse helmet and genre-defining tracks, he’s been a staple at festivals and in DJ rankings for years.
Outside of the studio, Deadmau5 has streamed CS:GO on his personal site and has been seen playing 1v1s with his ex, Kat Von D. With how he’s pressing buttons at the booth, he should be pretty good at Counter-Strike if he’s continued playing the game.
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a forward for Arsenal and the Brazil national team. He rose to prominence at Manchester City, where he won multiple Premier League titles before moving to Arsenal. He’s known for his relentless pace and technical skill, making him a key figure for his club and country.
Gabriel Jesus has openly shared his love for Counter-Strike. He took part in a CS2 charity showmatch with his teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko, and even went viral after tweeting that his Steam account was mistakenly VAC banned. To top it off, he reportedly spent around £30,000 on in-game items, proving that he’s deeply invested in the game.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, better known as “The Mountain” from Game of Thrones, is a legendary Icelandic strongman and one of the greatest to ever compete in the sport. He’s taken home multiple first-place trophies, including World’s Strongest Man in 2018. Apart from these two, he’s also known for playing the terrifying Ser Gregor Clegane in the fourth season of the HBO series.
When he’s not lifting weights, Hafthor has also been known to hop on Counter-Strike every now and then. He used to stream the game on Twitch where he has over 250,000 followers, and even played with popular content creators like Sliker.
Jerzy Janowicz
Jerzy Janowicz is a world-class tennis player from Poland. He made headlines back in 2013 by reaching the semifinals at Wimbledon – the first Polish man to do so. At his peak, he climbed as high as world number 14, and is known for his insane serves.
Jerzy has played a 1v1 against popular Polish streamer IzakOOO, where they put $1,200 on the line. He ended up losing and smashed his keyboard – just like a real Counter-Strike player. If that’s not enough proof, he also has an AWP Dragon Lore in his inventory.
Kizaru
Kizaru, real name Oleg Nechiporenko, is a Russian rapper and singer known for his dark and gritty style. With over a million monthly listeners on Spotify, he’s become one of the standout names in Russia’s underground rap scene. He’s also the founder of the collective Haunted Family, helping shape the aesthetic and sound of his genre.
But behind the mic, Kizaru is also a long-time Counter-Strike player. He’s had his inventory featured by creators like Anomaly, owns a couple of knives, and flexes both a 5-year and 10-year veteran badge, showing he’s been around for a long time. He also once got a CS:GO Rank One medal gifted to him by none other than s1mple.