Top 10 players after MSI Round 2: Knight, Kanavi, and Zeka dominate

Two teams have gone home, and only six remain in Daejeon at the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational. With a short break before the final stretch, teams now have a brief reprieve to breathe after an action-packed first four days of the main event, which saw the likes of and rise to the top of the bracket—both hungrier than ever to claim their first MSI title.

Much like at the start of the week, several players stood above the rest over the last few days, showing exactly why they must be respected—and feared. Each looked intent on becoming the best player the world has ever seen, pouring everything they had into every game. Today, Sheep Esports celebrates the top ten players of MSI Week 1…

Having steadily improved throughout the year, the LPL's longtime premier midlaner has arrived at MSI looking every bit the best player in the world. His series against was already exceptional, but his performance versus only strengthened that claim, combining dominant laning with the kind of teamfighting that has made him the centerpiece of BLG's success.

His biggest test, however, is still to come. Waiting on the other side of the bracket is , another midlaner enjoying the best form of his career and one of the few players capable of matching blow for blow. Their clash is shaping up to be one of the defining series of the tournament.

For now, though, Knight sits atop the event in multiple key statistical categories and shows no signs of slowing down. If he can continue this level of play, 2026 could finally become the year he lifts his first Worlds trophy, adding to the MSI title he claimed with JDG back in 2023.

One of the world's best junglers for years, 2026 may finally be 's chance to stand atop the game and prove his detractors wrong. Touted as a future superstar from the moment he emerged with Griffin in 2019, the South Korean surprisingly never played a single LCK game until this year, instead spending the vast majority of his career in the LPL with and . Despite finding considerable success—including an MSI title alongside knight in 2023—he never quite reached the heights many expected of him.

Now, however, Kanavi looks completely unleashed. Surrounded by the strongest roster in the LCK, the 25-year-old has been tearing through the competition at MSI, dispatching anyone who has stood in his way. Some analysts long questioned whether he could maintain his level against the world's very best, but those doubts have largely been put to rest. After slaying and G2 3-0, only BLG now stand between him and a finals appearance, as Kanavi looks to restore Korea's international dominance after disappointing First Stand campaigns from and .

Ever since winning Worlds in 2022, Zeka has hovered somewhere between "great" and "elite," consistently showing flashes of brilliance without building the trophy cabinet many expected him to. This year, however, he appears more determined than ever to restore his reputation.

Few players have been as dominant in lane throughout MSI. After dismantling Caps in Hanwha Life's upper-bracket victory over G2, Zeka has established himself as one of the tournament's standout performers and a driving force behind his team's run. Europe, in particular, will not soon forget his devastating Game 2 Sylas.

His reward is a meeting with knight, arguably the only midlaner at the event with a stronger case for the No. 1 spot. The matchup also carries a personal subplot. Before becoming a world champion, Zeka briefly played for BLG in the LPL back in 2021, where his stint failed to live up to expectations. Knocking out his former organization would offer a measure of redemption—and, if he can outplay knight, a convincing argument that he now belongs at the very top of the game's hierarchy.

Following an unfortunate opening series against the reigning First Stand champions BLG, T1 have steadily fought their way through the lower bracket, most recently sweeping Brazil's FURIA. As usual, has been at the heart of the team's success, once again establishing himself as its primary carry. Yet, he is far from satisfied.

Playing in his first international tournament since Worlds 2024, the South Korean AD Carry has cemented himself as one of—if not the—best botlaners at the event and now looks to continue that form against G2 Esports. A victory would move T1 one step closer to the grand final and prove they have what it takes to challenge the likes of Hanwha Life Esports and Bilibili Gaming.

Whether on Kalista, Caitlyn, or even mages like Syndra and Mel, there seems to be no champion beyond Peyz's reach. Preparing for T1's botlane is almost a lottery, as he and constantly reinvent the way they approach the game. If they can maintain this level, the duo has every argument to stake its claim as the best botlane in the world.

The biggest surprise of MSI so far, Team Secret Whales stunned the LPL's second seed, Top Esports, with a 3–1 victory in the lower bracket, advancing to face LCS champions LYON for a chance at a top-four finish. As impressive as the result itself was, the manner in which the Vietnamese representatives achieved it was even more remarkable. Aside from a disappointing Game 2, TSW thoroughly outclassed Top Esports, dictating the pace of the series and proving they are far more than just this tournament's Cinderella story. In particular, and delivered outstanding performances, showing they are world-class players in their own right and deserving of far greater respect.

The youngest player at the tournament, 18-year-old Hizto has steadily risen through the ranks since last year, establishing himself as a worthy successor to Đỗ "Levi" Duy Khánh's legacy thanks to his relentless aggression and remarkable versatility. From his dominant Lee Sin performance in Game 1, where he completely took over both and the map, to his composed Dr. Mundo in Game 4, Hizto consistently outshone his opposition and strengthened his case as one of the world's very best junglers.

Whatever happens from this point onward, MSI 2026 has already been a resounding success for Team Secret Whales. But the Vietnamese squad has no intention of slowing down. Instead, they will look to follow in 's footsteps from last year and once again prove that the Asia-Pacific region belongs among League of Legends' elite.

The road to the top is never an easy one, and several other players delivered outstanding performances throughout the opening week. TSW's Pun (6th) was instrumental in his team's upset over Top Esports, with his signature Sett putting the LPL representatives to the sword. (7th), meanwhile, was once again the rock HLE could rely on, having dominated G2's botlane in the upper bracket. Keria (8th) continued to make his case as the best support in the world, serving as the perfect partner to Peyz throughout the tournament. And finally, (9th) and (10th) remained pillars of BLG's success, delivering when it mattered most and proving capable of taking over games against any opponent.

MSI 2026 returns on Wednesday, July 8, with the final stretch of the tournament kicking off through two lower-bracket showdowns: LYON vs. TSW and G2 Esports vs. T1. The following day will feature the highly anticipated upper-bracket clash between BLG and Hanwha Life Esports, before the tournament shifts to a one-match-per-day schedule through to the Grand Final.