Rossy Reveals the Reason Behind the Cloud9 Exit
Daniel "Rossy" Abedrabbo, former IGL for Cloud9's VALORANT roster, recently shared his side of the story in a podcast by Ravishing Ravish, detailing the events that led to his departure just weeks before the 2025 VCT season. Rossy's candid and detailed recount sheds light on the complexities of team dynamics, personal accountability, and the challenges of professional esports.
Rossy’s journey with Cloud9 began in September 2024, when he was invited to trial alongside Victor "v1c" Truong. After a competitive week-long process, Rossy was selected for his strong leadership and voice in the game. He joined a lineup that included moose, Xeppaa, OXY, and runi. However, as early as the roster's formation, tensions surfaced. The team later replaced runi with v1c, a decision Rossy said stemmed from the organization feeling unsettled about leaving v1c out.
Early Struggles and Redemption
Cloud9’s new roster stumbled at their first event, the SEN City Classic, where they went 0-3. Rossy accepted responsibility for the poor performance, admitting to emotional shutdowns and reduced communication during losses. “I wasn’t comming properly, and my attitude on the mic wasn’t what you want from an IGL,” Rossy said, adding that he apologized to the team and vowed improvement.
The team bounced back spectacularly at Red Bull Home Ground #5 in Berlin, claiming second place and showing significant improvement in performance and synergy. However, despite their strong finish, cracks in Rossy’s leadership and interpersonal relationships persisted.
The Final Days with Cloud9
Rossy admitted to struggles with openness and communication outside of the game. While his in-game calls and strategies were effective, teammates highlighted his aloofness and lack of emotional connection as barriers to team cohesion.
"I wasn’t really talking outside the game, and that definitely was an issue. I was closed off, and that hurt my relationships with the team," Rossy shared.
This issue came to a head after the Berlin event. During a casual walk with coach Ian "Immi" Harding and teammate Francis "OXY" Hoang, Rossy joked about potential roster changes. He joked about roster changes, asking, “Who’re we cutting?” But he quickly learned he was the one being cut. The decision stemmed from concerns about his ability to maintain composure and lead effectively under pressure, particularly during high-stakes matches like the Red Bull finals, the one match that Cloud9 were not happy about.
“They said my IGLing in the finals wasn’t what they wanted, though they liked everything else. I thought things were going well, but clearly, I misjudged.”
Rossy attempted to advocate for his role, offering to address his issues and rebuild trust.
“You can either keep me and trust that I’ll fix my issues, or you can go through someone else.”
However, the team ultimately decided that a change was necessary.
While some teammates supported him, others felt his mood and IGL style weren’t conducive to long-term success. Specific criticisms included his performance in the Red Bull finals and his perceived aloofness outside the game.
Rossy described his final moments with Cloud9 as emotional yet dignified. After realizing the team’s decision was final, he packed his belongings and expressed gratitude to his teammates and staff. “I appreciate y’all boys for the opportunity. I hope you have a blessed year,” he recalled saying before leaving. He also praised the team environment, noting that practices were always productive and free of toxicity.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
Reflecting on his time with Cloud9, Rossy acknowledged areas for personal growth, particularly in handling emotions during tense moments and improving communication outside of the game.
“This was a wake-up call,” Rossy admitted. He categorically denied allegations of selfish in-game leadership, emphasizing that even his critics within the team dismissed such claims.
As for his future, Rossy remains optimistic, expressing a desire to take lessons from his Cloud9 experience into his next chapter.
“I’ll always support those guys,” he concluded. “I learned a lot from them, and I truly wish them nothing but the best.”
With the 2025 VCT season approaching, all eyes are on what lies ahead for both Rossy and Cloud9 as they move forward on their respective paths.
You can watch the full podcast where Rossy talks more about his experiences in Cloud9 below:
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Featured Image Credit: VCT Pacific/Cloud9
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