nAts after Team Liquid’s Champions exit: "I believe better times will come"
Team Liquid player Ayaz "nAts" Akhmetshin has reflected on the team's exit from VALORANT Champions. Following the elimination in Shanghai, Ayaz expressed disappointment regarding the team's international performance but remains optimistic about the future.
The exit from Shanghai marks the sixth consecutive time Team Liquid has appeared at a Masters or Champions event without reaching the playoffs. This streak, which dates back to Champions Los Angeles 2023, has seen the team consistently struggle to advance past the group or Swiss stages. In five of these six appearances, the team finished with a 1:2 match record, while their Los Angeles campaign ended with two losses.
The team's record across these major events includes:
- Champions Los Angeles 2023 — 13th–16th place (0:2);
- Masters Bangkok 2025 — 5th–6th place (1:2);
- Masters Toronto 2025 — 9th–10th place (1:2);
- Champions Paris 2025 — 9th–12th place (1:2);
- Masters Santiago — 9th–10th place (1:2);
- Champions Shanghai — 9th–12th place (1:2);
In a post on X, "nAts" acknowledged that the team fell short of expectations on the international stage. However, he emphasized the value of qualifying for such prestigious tournaments, meeting fans, and competing against diverse regions. "I believe better times will come," he stated, while thanking supporters for their continued loyalty despite the results.
At Champions Shanghai, Team Liquid finished in 9th–12th place. After an opening loss to Paper Rex, they kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating TYLOO, but were ultimately eliminated by G2 Esports in the Group C decider match.
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