Top 10 players after MSI Round 3: G2 and BLG on top

Four teams remain, but only one will leave Daejeon as the champion of the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational. The final battles are set: EMEA’s will first clash with North America’s , with the winner earning a shot at Korea’s . Waiting at the end of the bracket are , who stand one series away from completing two thirds of their golden road and cementing China’s dominance on the international stage.

As the tournament reaches its final stretch, the spotlight turns toward the players who have defined MSI 2026 so far. From dominant laning phases to clutch teamfight performances, these stars have proven they have what it takes to carry their teams through the most important moments of the competition. Before the final battles begin, Sheep Esports takes a look at the top 10 players from MSI Round 3 — the names to watch as the race for the trophy reaches its conclusion.

Much like in our previous two rankings, once again sits at the very top of the list. Potentially the best performance of his career so far, the Chinese midlaner has dominated both the regional and international stages this year, establishing himself as the best midlaner in the world and arguably the best player overall.

Many believed that HLE’s could be the one to finally challenge the sword of the LPL, but those hopes were quickly dismantled when the two teams met. Knight completely outclassed his lane opponent and proved to be a pivotal force in Round 3, guiding the LPL representatives to yet another international final this year.

Now sitting at the top of the bracket, Knight awaits his chance to be crowned King, with the expectations firmly on his shoulders to continue his reign and further cement his legacy as the best player in his position.

One of the most criticized members of G2 Esports in recent times, the Top Father has finally awakened from his slumber against T1. When it mattered most, stepped up for his team and delivered an instant classic performance against — one so dominant that even the opposing coaches admitted in post-match interviews that they had failed to properly prepare for him.

From his signature Kled, on which he went 15/5/7 and recorded the highest kill count of his international career, to his Vayne in Game 1 and Cho’Gath in Game 2, the Turkish-German toplaner proved that he has not lost his touch. Once again, he showed that he belongs in the conversation among the best players in the world in his role and remains a threat that no opponent can afford to underestimate.

With LYON now standing in G2 Esports’ path, BrokenBlade will once again be a pivotal player to watch as he faces in the top lane — a matchup that, at least on paper, many analysts expect to be another favorable one for the veteran.

Often overlooked, proved today that he belongs among the best junglers in the world, taking down and guiding BLG to the MSI finals through a masterclass in jungle-mid synergy. Once jokingly labeled as BLG’s “defense against the dark arts” position due to the organization’s struggles to find a consistent jungler over the past two years — including trying out three different players in 2025 alone — it turns out that Xun was the answer they had been searching for all along.

Back in peak form, the 24-year-old jungler is making opponents fear his every move through his exceptional pathing, map awareness, and synergy with his teammates, proving himself as a crucial piece of BLG’s success. However, jungle remains one of the most competitive positions in the world, and Xun cannot afford to slow down if he wants to stay at the top. Whoever emerges from the lower bracket will arrive with momentum, hunger, and the ambition to finally bring BLG’s dominant run to an end.

It was a disastrous fifth-place finish for T1 at MSI 2026, marking the team’s worst international result at an event they had historically qualified for. After a 1-3 defeat against G2 Esports, the squad was forced to make an early exit from Daejeon, leaving with plenty of disappointment and unanswered questions.

Nevertheless, if there was one player who could walk away from this tournament with his head held high, it was . With two pentakills throughout the event and a top position across several statistical categories, the ADC was the shining light and final line of defense for T1 — even if his efforts ultimately fell short.

By their own admission, T1 underestimated the EMEA representatives and failed to perform at the level expected of a team with their pedigree. Their MSI campaign became a frustrating “what if” story, especially after pushing BLG to five games in Round 1 — a stronger showing than the other LCK representative managed at the tournament.

Now, T1 will have a short break before returning to action at the Esports World Cup, where they will look to recapture the glory of their 2024 run and put their disappointing MSI performance behind them.

A vocal leader for his team, is the third BLG member to feature in our top five for Round 3, further highlighting the team's dominant victory over HLE. After struggling to find his rhythm earlier this split, Viper has steadily returned to form, delivering one strong performance after another on the international stage and reaffirming his place among the world's elite AD carries.

Excelling on both Cassiopeia and Taliyah, Viper showcased his versatility by seamlessly transitioning between mages and traditional marksmen. Whether playing a supportive role or serving as his team's primary carry, he has consistently delivered exactly what BLG needed. With Peyz now out of the tournament, Viper appears poised to continue his impressive run, standing a step above the remaining botlaners still competing in Daejeon.

Breaking into the top five was no easy feat, and several other standout performances deserve recognition. G2 Esports' coaching staff (6th) played a crucial role in the team's victory over T1, putting together exceptional drafts and a game plan that caught the LCK representatives off guard. (7th) once again reminded everyone why he remains one of the West's greatest junglers, acting as the driving force behind LYON's historic top-four finish.

(8th) continued his stellar international showing, providing the engage, vision control, and leadership G2 relied on throughout Round 3. (9th) was once again a cornerstone of BLG's success, delivering several game-winning teamfights against HLE — most notably with his Neeko — while enabling his teammates to shine. Rounding out the list is (10th), whose confident performances and proactive pathing continued to be a key part of G2's run to the final weekend.