Team Liquid’s MiniBoo Steps Back Before VCT EMEA Stage 2 and Team Liquid announced that star Duelist Dominykas “MiniBoo” Lukaševičius will not play for the team in VCT EMEA Stage 2. In an official statement, the org said, “Domi requested to be moved to the bench as he takes time to reflect on and plan his future as a player”. Team Liquid praised MiniBoo for his “hard work, dedication, and success” and noted he was “a key part of our fast-paced playstyle and a constant source of positive energy”. MiniBoo himself explained it was “a really tough decision to take a break before the most important tournament of the year,” but said he believes it’s right for his career. He thanked Liquid and vowed, “I’ll be back and ready for next year. I’m not going to stop until I get revenge for 2024 Champs”.
“Stage 2 starts on July 15” with the EMEA competition kicking off in Berlin and finals in Barcelona, the biggest VCT event of the year. Team Liquid’s announcement came just weeks after Stage 1 ended. Liquid finished the Stage 1 group stage with a 4–1 record, only to be upset in the playoffs. Back-to-back losses to Team Vitality and Gentle Mates (both 2–1) eliminated Liquid, meaning they failed to qualify for Masters London. As one analysis notes, those early playoff losses left Liquid “absent from Masters London,” their second straight missed international event. In short, 2026 Stage 1 was “a season that never found its footing” for Liquid.
Reactions on MiniBoo Steps Back
Fans and analysts reacted quickly on social media. Many showed support for MiniBoo’s choice, calling him one of the “most underrated players” and wishing him “great health and tons of support”. The r/ValorantCompetitive subreddit echoed sympathy (“Wishing him great health … ❤️”), while also speculating on replacements. According to esports sources, Team Liquid plans to promote academy stand-in Kimmie “Kicks” Laasner to the main roster. This would be the second roster change before Stage 2 – earlier the team said Wayne “wayne” Chang had taken a break and would be replaced by Adrian “Trexx” Treptow. In summary, Liquid’s current active roster is now down to just three players (nAts, purp0, and Kamo), with “additional roster updates” promised imminently.
Roster shakeup after Team Liquid’s MiniBoo Steps Back:
Wayne Chang also stepped away after Stage 1, paving the way for Trexx. Rumors suggest Liquid Academy’s Kicks will fill the slot.
Stage 1 recap:
Liquid finished 4–1 in the group stage but fell 0–2 to Vitality in the opening playoff round before Gentle Mates eliminated them, resulting in a 7th–8th place finish.
Team strategy: MiniBoo had been a core of Liquid’s aggressive style. Coach Kamil “Kamo” Frąckowiak highlighted that Liquid will rely on “full confidence” in the remaining roster and staff as they head into Stage 2.
Looking ahead: With the VCT EMEA Stage 2 opener on July 15, Liquid must quickly integrate the new lineup. The pressure is high – Stage 2 is “Liquid’s last lifeline of the year,” and the team needs a strong run just to secure a spot at Champs 2026.
Opinion on Team Liquid’s MiniBoo Steps Back: Benching MiniBoo at his own request so close to a major tournament is unusual, but it underscores how seriously the team takes mental state and preparation. MiniBoo’s statement and Liquid’s supportive tone suggest this move is as much about wellbeing as performance. However, this shakeup comes when Liquid can least afford instability: they face a do-or-die Stage 2 with a thin roster. Promoting Kicks, a talented initiator, could inject new energy, but the squad will lose MiniBoo’s experience and positive presence. In my view, Liquid is rightly leaning on its academy talent, but Stage 2 will be a stern test of this revamped roster. Fans will be watching to see if the “revenge for 2024 Champs” spirit carries through despite the turbulence.
Sources: Team Liquid’s announcement and MiniBoo’s tweets, coverage of the roster moves, Liquid’s Stage 1 results, and community reactions. (Stage 2 schedule from official Riot VCT info.)
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Idk why people are mocking him, he’s a good lad.