Mihai “iM” Ivan took 19th place in the ranking of the best players of 2025 according to HLTV. This is his second consecutive appearance in the final list. A key role was played by his performances at top-tier tournaments, in particular IEM Katowice, IEM Cologne, ESL Pro League S22, and StarLadder Major Budapest, where iM received EVP awards and consistently ranked among the most impactful players on NAVI.
Despite a difficult
For iM, this ranking became a logical continuation of his upward career trajectory following his move to NAVI. For the second year in a row he finishes inside the HLTV Top 20, confirming his status as one of the strongest riflers on the scene. Despite a difficult season for the team and role changes within the roster, the Romanian player maintained a high level of individual performance and several times dragged NAVI through decisive matches at major tournaments.
read more
Why iM took 19th place
iM’s position in the ranking was shaped by a combination of individual statistics and impact on the game in top-level matches. He regularly showed strong numbers at LAN tournaments, delivered in elimination series, and consistently performed well against top teams. An important factor was his EVP awards at major championships and his ability to adapt to role changes after NAVI’s summer transfers.
Key tournaments of iM’s season
- IEM Katowice 2025
This was one of iM’s most notable tournaments of the year. He displayed strong individual statistics, led the team on several maps, and repeatedly closed out decisive rounds against strong opponents. The Katowice performance became one of the main reasons for his inclusion in the ranking. - IEM Cologne 2025
In Cologne, iM confirmed that he can perform stably under arena pressure. He was one of the primary driving forces for NAVI at the tournament and maintained high numbers even in matches against event favorites. - ESL Pro League Season 22
At this tournament, the Romanian delivered one of his best individual performances of the year. His statistics, clutches, and multi-frag rounds were decisive in NAVI’s playoff run and cemented him as one of the most visible players of the league. - StarLadder Major Budapest 2025
This Major became the culmination of iM’s season. He earned an EVP award and was one of the most consistent players on the team across the entire tournament, maintaining a rating above 1.20 in key matches and systematically influencing outcomes.
iM’s role in NAVI throughout the year
In 2025, iM served as one of NAVI’s main riflers. During the season he went through a significant change in responsibilities after the roster reshuffle, moving to more passive positions and giving up part of his aggressive role to a new player. Despite this, he adapted and remained one of NAVI’s primary damage dealers, consistently ranking among the team leaders in core statistical categories.
Season statistics and player form
iM maintained a rating above 1.00 at most large LAN tournaments, recording many maps with 1.15+ and 1.20+ ratings. He was noted for individual surges at major events that directly impacted team results. At the same time, several tournaments with weaker numbers lowered his final ranking position and prevented him from climbing higher.
Career context
For iM this is already his second inclusion in the HLTV Top 20. Last year he occupied 16th place, and now he has once again secured himself among the elite of the world scene. His path from local Romanian teams to NAVI and a Major title has made him the leading representative of Romania in global CS and one of the region’s standout figures.
What this means for the scene
iM’s presence in the Top 20 strengthens NAVI’s position and highlights the role of international rosters in modern CS2. His story is a clear example of career growth: from academy and secondary teams to consistent appearances in rankings of the world’s best players. For the Romanian scene this is a historic result, and for NAVI it is confirmation of the effectiveness of their roster decisions in recent years.
read more
Strong performances
iM finished 2025 in 19th place in the HLTV ranking, combining individual consistency with strong performances at key tournaments of the season. EVP awards, productivity in matches against top teams, and the ability to take responsibility in decisive moments made him one of the brightest riflers of the year. He remains an important element of the NAVI lineup and one of the most notable players on the global stage.
