Lotan Spinx Giladi finished 2025 in 10th place in HLTV’s ranking of the world’s best players. For the Israeli player, this is already his fourth inclusion in the final list and a return to the elite top ten after a year in which MOUZ were almost constantly present on the biggest stages. Despite missing the start of the season and lacking loud MVP trophies, it was Spinx’s consistency that became the foundation behind the many semifinals and finals reached by his team.
Season started unusually
The season started unusually for Spinx: after parting ways with Vitality he found himself on the bench and missed the first major tournaments, including IEM Katowice. The move to MOUZ became a new starting point for him. The team, which already had a strong young core, was looking for an experienced rifler with a proven level on big stages. The Israeli fit this concept perfectly, becoming the second biggest star in the roster and at the same time the “insurance policy” in case teammates underperformed.
Throughout the year, MOUZ rarely dropped out of the fight for the late stages. The final at PGL Cluj-Napoca, a series of second places in clashes with the dominant Vitality, and reaching decisive matches at ESL Pro League and IEM Cologne — in all these campaigns Spinx was among the most impactful players, never dropping below a certain performance threshold. His season is difficult to describe through a single “explosive” tournament; instead, it looked like a long series of assured performances where failures were the exception rather than the rule.
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Why Spinx finished in 10th place
Spinx’s position in the Top 20 was formed through a combination of a very high floor and the number of tournaments where he showed himself not just as “solid” but as a leading rifler. In 2025 he finished all LAN events with at least the status of a valuable player, and at ten tournaments he was one of the main driving forces of MOUZ. Four EVP awards — at PGL Cluj-Napoca, IEM Dallas, BLAST.tv Austin Major, and ESL Pro League Season 22 — confirm that his contribution systematically stood out against competitors.
It is especially important that Spinx remained competitive against the strongest opponents. His metrics versus top-5 teams stayed at a level that allows him to fight for places in the upper part of the ranking, and not just accumulate statistics against underdogs. At the same time, the lack of bright peak MVP-level moments and a certain dip in efficiency in playoffs compared with group stages were the key arguments for him stopping at 10th rather than higher.
Key tournaments of Spinx’s season
- PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025
Spinx’s debut with MOUZ immediately ended with a title. The team went through a difficult bracket, and the Israeli became one of the main drivers of the championship run. In decisive matches against Astralis and Falcons he repeatedly won key duels, maintained a stable rating above one, and deservedly received an EVP award. Cluj-Napoca marked the moment when it became clear that Spinx’s transfer to MOUZ was the right decision. - ESL Pro League Season 21
At this tournament MOUZ finished second, losing to Vitality in the final. For Spinx this was one of the most contradictory performances of the year: powerful maps in the group stage contrasted with less convincing play in the playoffs. He did not collapse, but also did not turn into the main star of the decisive matches, which ultimately deprived him of chances for individual awards. - BLAST Open Lisbon 2025
In Lisbon Spinx demonstrated a significantly more stable level, becoming one of the key players for MOUZ in the series against Falcons and Eternal Fire. In the final the team once again faced Vitality and once again fell short, but the Israeli delivered several maps with ratings well above average. The tournament cemented his reputation as a player capable of holding his ground in matches against top opponents. - IEM Dallas 2025
One of the main peaks of the season. Spinx had a strong group stage with high ADR and almost no bad maps, and MOUZ reached the final. Even despite losing to Vitality in the decisive match, the Israeli remained the most productive player on his team and justifiably received an EVP award. Dallas became the tournament that confirmed his status as a consistent elite-level player. - BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
The Austin Major became a test of character. MOUZ started 0–2 in the Swiss Stage, but Spinx significantly stepped up in the decisive matches and helped the team complete the comeback. In the playoffs he maintained high efficiency on winning maps, but the team again stopped short of the final. The Major earned Spinx another EVP status and reinforced his reputation as a player who does not crumble under arena pressure. - ESL Pro League Season 22
This was the last big event of the year where Spinx was among the most valuable players. He had an excellent group stage and remained one of the most consistent players for MOUZ in the playoffs. A key moment was the third-place match against FaZe, where his run of strong maps helped the team secure a podium finish and end the season on a positive note.
Spinx’s role in MOUZ throughout the year
In MOUZ, Spinx played the role of a versatile rifler with an emphasis on stability in key positions. He was not always the biggest star by number of frags, but many of the most responsible areas on the map in defense and crucial trades on offense depended on him. For a young roster where several players are still adapting to the highest level, his experience in big finals and familiarity with pressure were critically important.
At the same time, the team went through internal transformations: a change of in-game leader, an updated style, and the search for balance between aggression and structure. In this process Spinx often acted as an “anchor” — the player from whom the coaching staff and teammates expected a predictably high level regardless of the opponent. Even when others underperformed, he kept acceptable stats and gave the team a chance to come back in series.
Season statistics and playstyle
Statistically, Spinx delivered one of the most consistent seasons of his career. His rating stayed above one in almost all LAN tournaments, and the share of significantly positive maps was enough to compete with other Top 20 players. It is also worth noting his steady numbers against top-5 teams, where he did not fade against more famous opponents and was often the best player in MOUZ.
At the same time, his playstyle is not tied to constant high-risk aggression. Spinx rarely looks like a “highlight machine,” but compensates with smart positioning, reliable trading, and the ability to maintain high efficiency over long tournament distances. That is why his impact is not always obvious at first glance, but at both statistical and strategic levels he is one of the key figures for MOUZ.
Career context and significance for the scene
For Spinx himself, 10th place is a logical step in his career trajectory. After his breakthrough with ENCE, time as the second star in Vitality, and a Major championship in Paris, he had already entered the Top 20 three times. The current season showed that even after a difficult parting with his former organization, he can quickly adapt to a new team and remain among the elite.
For MOUZ, signing Spinx confirmed their status as a club that not only develops talent through its academy but can also attract top-tier players. Having such an experienced rifler in the lineup helps younger teammates — such as xertioN or Jimpphat — unlock their potential without excessive pressure, and supports the team in battles against giants like Vitality, Falcons, or FaZe.
What this means for the scene
Spinx’s appearance in the Top 10 once again emphasizes that in modern CS2, not only explosive peak form is valued, but also systematic presence at major stages. MOUZ’s season is hard to call perfect due to the lack of titles, but the fact that a player without MVP awards ranks 10th demonstrates the importance of consistency and deep tournament runs. This is a signal to many teams that investing in structured play and reliable riflers can be as effective as focusing solely on superstars.
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End of 2025
Spinx ends 2025 in 10th place in the HLTV ranking, with four EVP awards, a string of finals and semifinals with MOUZ, and one of the highest stability levels among world-class riflers. He did not become the main star of the season and did not collect a stack of MVPs, but it was his consistent play that allowed MOUZ to almost never fall out of the elite tier. For the Israeli rifler this is further confirmation of his place among the world’s top elite, and for the team it is a foundation on which they can continue trying to finally convert stability into major trophies.
