How much will m0NESY, donk, and ZywOo earn in 2026?

CS2 players’ salaries continue to skyrocket. Just a few years ago, even the biggest stars rarely earned more than $20,000–$30,000 a month, but today the world’s best players are signing contracts comparable to those of athletes in traditional sports. This is especially true for superstars like donk, m0NESY, and ZywOo.

The highest-paid player among this trio remains Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbo of Team Vitality. According to analysts and insiders, his salary ranges from $80,000 to $100,000 per month, though some sources suggest the French star may earn even more. Vitality has been building its entire project around ZywOo for several years now, and in 2025, he once again became the No. 1 player in the HLTV rankings after winning several major tournaments in a row. In addition to his salary, a significant portion of his income comes from prize money, sponsorship contracts, and the sale of stickers featuring Major logos.

Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov has significantly increased his earnings since joining Team Falcons. While playing for G2, he was still under his old contract, signed shortly after leaving NAVI Junior, which reportedly provided for a much lower salary than that of the team’s superstars. However, everything changed after his move to Falcons. His current salary is estimated to be between $30,000 and $45,000 per month. According to available data, Falcons spent approximately $2.5 million on this transfer, making it one of the most expensive deals in Counter-Strike history. The organization is building a true superteam around NiKo and m0NESY, which explains the massive salaries on the roster.

Danil “donk” Kryshkovets, despite being considered the top young talent in CS2, still earns slightly less than his rivals. According to various estimates, his salary at Team Spirit ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 per month. However, following his incredible performances, MVP awards, and recognition as the best player of 2024, many expect Spirit to offer him a significantly improved contract in the near future. Analysts believe that donk could become one of the highest-paid players in the world within the next few years.

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It’s also important to understand that a salary is just one component of a professional player’s income. The top CS2 stars earn huge sums from tournament prize pools, personal sponsorship deals, streaming, and, in particular, Major stickers. According to industry estimates, a single successful Major can earn a player between $200,000 and $250,000 from sticker sales alone. This is precisely why organizations are willing to invest such significant sums in superstar players. Their popularity and performance generate enormous profits both competitively and commercially.