ATF on the reason for their victory at The International 2025: “We had two TI champions, and they didn’t.”

No disrespect or hate intended, but I didn’t even consider him a good player. I thought, “Well, he’s just some high-ranked player—nothing special.” To me, he was just average. I really didn’t think he was any good because he hadn’t won anything in seven years.

But after a few months of playing together, I thought, “Okay, he’s really good in the lane. That’s all I care about. He plays the lane well.” And then—he has a very good understanding of the game and mental toughness. In just two months, I realized: “This guy has to win. I don’t understand why he wasn’t winning.”

I think these results [in 2025—Ed.] made us realize that now, only TI matters. We need to win TI, or else we’ll disband. <...>

We’ve been playing together for a long time. There have been a lot of ups and downs. Our first year turned out to be so incredible that… When I look back at our second year, it looks good. It still looks decent. But our expectations were too high: we thought we had to win everything. That’s what hurt us.

And even though our second-place finish at the EWC—where we lost to Team Spirit—was, in a way, undeserved, it still worked out for the best. It went something like this: “Okay, we finished in a very good spot at a major tournament, but at the same time, we’re playing so poorly that we really need to practice.” It was practically the best-case scenario.

I wasn’t particularly nervous. I think the only time I felt that way was on the fifth map against Xtreme Gaming. But even then, on a conscious level, I didn’t feel nervous.

I believe the main reason for our victory on the fifth map was that we had two TI champions, while they didn’t. I think that was the most important factor.

Even Cr1t wasn’t nervous and didn’t flinch, but Malr1ne and I… Our play was very different from usual. Naga and Medusa had zero deaths—both played the game of their lives. I died alone; he died in the mid lane like an idiot. It was as if we were just there. Look at these stats: 10/0/15 and 8/0/8. Two perfect performances, even with two feeders on your team. <...>

They just played very cleanly. Like I said before, I don’t think Malr1ne and I were aware of how stressed we were, but subconsciously we were really nervous. We didn’t stop communicating, and we didn’t show that we were nervous. But when you look at the game itself… If I could go back to that map right now, I’d tear them apart. I wouldn’t buy that crappy Dominator—I’d buy Yasha. I’d win the lane and just farm.

Winning The International brings two things. First, relief. You no longer need to win The International. You feel like you’ve achieved your goal. Second, you feel lost. You’ve won—so what now?

Could anything be even better? No, it can’t. Is there anything else? So, you either win another TI and get the same feelings… Although, in reality, they’ll be weaker because it’s no longer your first victory. And now what? <…>

Yatoro and Collapse have always said they want to keep winning TI. They don’t worry about money as much as others do. From the way they talk, it’s clear they play more for the glory. It’s much easier for them to look at it that way. But me and other regular people—we need the money. I also want to see six million on my profile, just like they do. <…>

I really cherish this. I’m constantly checking Liquipedia to verify everything because this is my career. As I’ve said before, it’s a privilege, it’s a joy, and I don’t think anything can replace it.

Even if I found a job that paid ten million a month—let’s say such a thing exists—where would the stage be? Where would those emotions be? They wouldn’t be there. And what about traveling around the world? None of that would be there either. How else would I have met a Russian, an American, and a Dane?