Ismailcan XANTARES Dörtkardeş finished 14th in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of 2025, becoming the first player aged 30+ to make the list. The Turkish rifler secured back-to-back appearances thanks to a season defined by consistency, elite individual output, and a long-awaited LAN breakthrough with Aurora.
XANTARES’ 2025 season in context
Coming off Eternal Fire’s late-2024 rise, expectations were finally aligned with XANTARES’ long-standing reputation. Early 2025 confirmed that the veteran rifler could still dominate at Tier-1 pace: strong starts at BLAST Bounty Season 1 and IEM Katowice earned him EVP awards, while Eternal Fire established themselves as a regular playoff team.
Mid-season turbulence followed the roster’s move from Eternal Fire to Aurora, a decision that split public opinion but ultimately elevated the squad’s competitive ceiling. Despite some familiar playoff struggles and underwhelming Major exits, XANTARES’ individual level remained among the best in the world.
read more
Key moments that shaped his ranking
- Consistency across the year: XANTARES posted a 1.16 average rating (#9 overall), ranking near the top in ADR (85.2, #3), kills per round (0.75, #7), and multi-kill percentage (19.7%, #6).
- High impact in wins: His influence was most visible in round wins, averaging 1.05 KPR and 110 damage per winning round — elite numbers even by Top 10 standards.
- Accolades: Four major recognitions defined his season — MVP at PGL Masters Bucharest and EVPs at BLAST Bounty Season 1, IEM Katowice, and Esports World Cup.
- The breakthrough: PGL Masters Bucharest finally delivered XANTARES’ first significant LAN trophy and MVP medal, capping years of near-misses and validating Aurora’s long-term project.
Where it fell short
The main factor keeping XANTARES outside the Top 10 was inconsistency on the biggest playoff stages. Performances at BLAST Open Lisbon and both Majors, combined with missing IEM Cologne, weakened his Elite+ tournament resume. Statistically, his output in big matches (1.05 rating) and arena games (0.99) lagged behind several players ranked above him.
Why XANTARES is 14th
XANTARES’ 2025 was defined by volume and reliability rather than singular peaks. He was Aurora’s driving force throughout the year, consistently delivering star-level rifling against top-5 and top-10 opposition while anchoring one of the scene’s most stable playoff teams. The lack of multiple trophies and uneven Major showings capped his ceiling, but his overall statistical case arguably supported an even higher placement.
I don’t see age as a limiting factor, XANTARES said about his Top 20 inclusion. As long as I stay healthy and motivated, I’m confident my name can keep appearing on this list.
read more
What it means for Aurora and the scene
For Aurora, XANTARES’ ranking reflects their evolution into a permanent Tier-1 presence — a team capable of winning LANs and contending deep into elite events. For the broader CS2 scene, his story stands as proof that longevity, professionalism, and adaptation can still compete with raw youth in a rapidly accelerating meta. At 30, XANTARES didn’t just return to the Top 20 — he redefined its age limits.
