Collapse to Take a Six-Month Break After Winning The International 2026
Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov has officially confirmed he will take a six-month break from professional Dota 2 following Team Spirit's victory at The International 2026. The three-time TI champion explained that while the win provided a sense of relief, he needs time to regain his competitive hunger before returning to the scene. He ruled out retirement and stated that rejoining Team Spirit is his primary plan for the future.
Speaking on the All Chat podcast, Collapse clarified that his decision stems from a need to reset his motivation rather than burnout. "I feel like I've achieved even more than I wanted, so it's more of a relief for me," he admitted. He estimates needing five to six months to feel that familiar drive again. While he considered taking time off regardless of the outcome, winning the tournament made the break feel natural and earned.
The 24-year-old offlaner firmly dismissed rumors of retirement. "I don't want to end my career because I'm only 24," he emphasized. Although he briefly entertained the idea of joining Team Liquid or reuniting with Miroslav "Mira" Kolpakov, he remains confident in his current roster. He noted that adapting to new teammates is stressful and that he prefers the comfort of returning to a squad where he already knows the internal dynamics.
A significant portion of the interview focused on Yaroslav "Miposhka" Naidenov, who has transitioned from captain to coach. Collapse credited Miposhka's work as a key factor in their TI run, noting that without his guidance on heroes and drafts, they might not have reached the playoffs. He observed that Miposhka is now more effective as a coach, able to focus entirely on team structure rather than his own performance.
Looking ahead, Collapse expressed a desire to eventually win The International without Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk, calling it a potential motivation for future seasons. However, his immediate plans involve resting with loved ones and regaining his edge before deciding on his return to the professional circuit.
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