In a stunning twist of events, the Team Liquid Dota 2 roster has bid farewell to its captain and two-time International (TI) champion, Neta "33" Shapira, just after his epic triumph in Copenhagen, where the team hoisted the coveted Aegis of Champions high into the air.
As revealed by a now-deleted post from Liquid on September 26, 33 has officially parted ways with the organization. While the exact reasons remain shrouded in mystery, it’s speculated that this isn’t a retirement decision. After all, it’s a rarity for a player to leave a team immediately after securing the world championship. The closest comparison of a roster shuffle following a TI victory was when Kurtis "Aui_2000" Ling was unexpectedly released from Evil Geniuses after their triumph at TI5.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Tundra Esports star Roman "RAMZES666" Kushnarev hinted during a live stream that 33 might be taking his talents to Tundra. This would mark 33’s return to the organization where he first experienced glory in a TI. With Tundra’s roster recently undergoing a significant overhaul, only Matthew "Whitemon" Filemon remains from the original lineup, making a move from Liquid to Tundra a palpable possibility.
The speculation doesn’t stop there! Fans are buzzing at the thought of 33 potentially reuniting with former teammate Martin "Saksa" Sazdov in this newly formed Tundra squad. Saksa has just made his comeback to the professional scene after a year-long hiatus, demonstrating impressive form by helping Tundra secure a third-place finish at TI13. Could the synergy between these two return to ignite yet another successful campaign?
After joining Team Liquid in November 2023, 33 assumed the captaincy role almost immediately, demonstrating impressive leadership during what was initially a rocky start to the 2024 season. However, Liquid found their rhythm later on, finishing second at the 2024 Riyadh Masters and building momentum leading into the grandest stage of all – TI. Under his guidance, Liquid clinched victory at the 2024 International, making 33 the first player in history to snag two TI titles with completely distinct rosters. He now joins an elite club, being one of only ten players to have raised the Aegis on two separate occasions.
As Team Liquid revels in their recent victory, the search for 33’s successor is underway. Speculation is swirling that Jonáš “SabeRLight-” Volek may step into the colossal shoes left vacant by 33. Known for his playful demeanor, SabeRLight- cheekily shared a video on Twitter from the shower, jokingly suggesting he might join Liquid!
This former Shopify Rebellion standout briefly replaced 33 during ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, rocking the offlane role and driving the team to a commendable third-place finish despite a lack of preparation. The excitement continues as 33 eyes another monumental milestone – becoming the first player to capture three TI titles with three separate rosters. His official statement on this game-changing move is still awaited, leaving fans and analysts alike on the edge of their seats.
This chapter in Dota 2 history is filled with surprises, intrigue, and undeniable passion for competitive gaming as we gear up for what’s next in this thrilling journey!
