ChaiViz
09.09.2026
Three weeks removed from The International 2026, the Dota 2 offseason rumor mill still has not slowed down. Between a surprise indefinite break, a fan favorite reflecting on a move that almost happened, and a fresh roster casualty, this week's news cycle has given fans plenty to debate while they wait for the new competitive season to take shape.
If you want to turn some of that speculation into points, GoCore's Pick'ems lobby is open for exactly this kind of storyline.
Andreas "Cr1t" Nielsen confirmed on X that he is taking an indefinite break from competition and will not play next season. He described the decision as difficult, thanked his former teammates across several generations of the scene, and did not close the door on a future return, telling fans he will "see you soon on stream." No timeline has been given for when, or if, he plans to compete again.
Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov gave fans plenty to unpack in a recent YouTube appearance. He said he needs roughly five or six months to rebuild his motivation for competing, but was careful to note he does not want to end his career at 24 years old. In the same conversation, he admitted he has thought about joining Team Liquid on more than one occasion, both during a personal break last year and during a rough patch with Team Spirit this season, and said he still believes there is a chance it could happen down the line.
Collapse also revealed that a broken sleep schedule during Team Spirit's TI15 run hit him harder than fans realized. He described getting only four to five hours of sleep some nights due to match scheduling, said one dose of melatonin left him feeling worse rather than better, and was openly critical of how the event organizers structured the days between matches.
Elvis "Scofield" De la Cruz Peña has temporarily suspended his professional career and left PlayTime's active roster, where he had competed since May. The team has not given a timeline for his return but said it expects him back "when the time is right." The move continues a turbulent stretch for the organization, which was disqualified from the Esports World Cup 2026 over a sportsmanship violation and later removed two members over match fixing suspicions.
Only Wits and Elmisho remain from the recent lineup, with Said "SumaiL" Hassan, Cedric "Davai" Deckmyn, and Matheus "KJ" Diniz floated as possible replacements. The article also referenced Team Falcons disbanding their Dota 2 roster entirely earlier this offseason, a reminder that PlayTime is far from the only organization reshuffling right now.
An unconfirmed report from the Telegram channel "Mysli Pulsa" claims Filipe "Astini" Astini has quietly assembled a new roster for the upcoming season, this time stepping into a coaching role. The rumored lineup includes Yuma Langlet, Abed Yusop, Cedric "Davai" Deckmyn, Thiago "Thiolicor" de Oliveira Cordeiro, and Matheus "KJ" Diniz.
Notably, both Deckmyn and Diniz are the same names being floated for PlayTime's open spots, which means this offseason's transfer rumors may be tangled together more than they first appear. Astini had previously announced plans to retire, making this a significant reported reversal if it holds up.
With three separate players stepping back or reshuffling and a fourth rumor suggesting a coaching return, the shape of next season's Dota 2 scene is still very much up in the air. More confirmations, denials, and surprise transfers are likely before rosters lock in for the new competitive year.
ChaiViz
09.09.2026
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