Raddan and Mira Take a Break from Team Spirit
Roster changes and team reshuffles are a common occurrence after every The International (TI). This year, however, one of the most surprising changes came from Team Spirit, as Illya "Raddan" Mulyarchuk, formerly known as Yatoro—one of the best carries in the current Dota 2 scene—and their support, Myroslav "Mira" Kolpakov, announced they would be stepping back and becoming inactive.
In this article, we’ll explore Team Spirit’s achievements with this roster and, most importantly, discuss why Raddan and Mira have decided to take a break from competitive play.
Team Spirit at The International 2024. (Credit: Valve)Team Spirit’s Competitive Journey Through Triumphs and Defeats
Founded in 2015, Team Spirit has seen many notable players on its roster over the years, including Artsiom "Fng" Barshak, Anton "dyrachyo" Shkredov, and Oleksandr "XBOCT" Dashkevych.
However, the Team Spirit that became two-time TI winners truly came into the spotlight at The International 2021, with a roster featuring Illya "Raddan" Mulyarchuk, Alexander "TORONTOTOKYO" Khertek, Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov, Myroslav "Mira" Kolpakov, and Yaroslav "Miposhka" Naidenov.
At TI 2021, Team Spirit had a rough start, and few anticipated the heights they would reach. They were sent to the lower bracket by Invictus Gaming after a 2-1 defeat. Following that, they embarked on a remarkable lower bracket run, ultimately securing a 3-2 victory over PSG.LGD in the grand finals.
This triumph not only earned them $18.2 million, the largest prize in Dota 2 history, but also cemented their legacy. The roster remained unchanged after the win, aside from one significant change: TORONTOTOKYO departed, and Denis "Larl" Sigitov stepped in as the new mid laner.
While 2022 didn't bring the same success at The International, where they were knocked out by BOOM Esports in the lower bracket, Team Spirit managed to claim victory at the PGL Arlington Major, defeating PSG.LGD 3-1 in the finals. The year 2023 saw Team Spirit rise once again, as they delivered an impressive, undefeated run through the upper bracket of TI 2023. Their dominant form culminated in a 3-0 sweep over Gaimin Gladiators in the grand finals, securing their second TI championship.
Team Spirit is warming up for Riyadh Masters and TI.Team Spirit’s 2024 season didn’t measure up to the heights of their previous successes. After securing a win at PGL Wallachia Season 1, their momentum faltered at Riyadh Masters 2024. There, PSG Quest eliminated them in a 2-1 series, finishing in 7th-8th place. Their performance at The International 2024 brought further disappointment.
Despite an undefeated group stage, Team Spirit lost to Nouns and got sent to the lower bracket. While they managed to defeat G2xIG in the lower bracket, their run ended with a 2-1 loss to Xtreme Gaming, concluding their TI journey earlier than anticipated.
Raddan "I’m not leaving permanently"
A break to comeback stronger? (Credit: Valve)It became evident that the team was struggling to find the cohesion and consistency that had defined their previous successes. This raised questions about whether internal challenges or other factors were affecting their performance. These uncertainties led to a major announcement from Team Spirit. They confirmed on Twitter that RADDAN and Mira would be stepping back from competitive Dota 2.
Raddan explained his decision to step back from professional Dota 2 through a detailed post on Telegram, stating:
"I want to explain the reasons for taking an extended break. The overwhelming workload and giving my all without seeing results over the past year made me realize that I won’t be able to maintain the same passion in the upcoming season, which will have even more tournaments than this one. I fully understand, and the team does too, that I’m not leaving permanently. I’m just taking a break from professional Dota. I will return, no doubt about it. Working with the same group of people for several years takes its toll. You can't approach your work with the same level of impartiality when you know the people so well. Inevitably, when you live together non-stop for 3-4 years, albeit not entirely by choice, it leaves a negative residue, which, perhaps indirectly, affects the results."
"I will use this time away to rest from professional Dota, though I’ll still be playing casually and might even stream occasionally. Best wishes to everyone! I’ll be sharing photos from my trips here. I want to attend the Champions and see what other tournaments are like in different disciplines. Best regards to everyone. P.S. Please don’t send any offers, I’m not interested."
The positive takeaway is that this is only a temporary break. Given Raddan's heavy workload over the past few years, it's understandable he needs time to recharge. Professional players across various disciplines have taken similar breaks, recognizing the toll that prolonged periods of high-level competition can have. After all, maintaining physical and mental well-being is crucial.
Mira’s Decision to Step Back and Take a Break
Mira at PGL Wallachia Season 1. (Credits: PGL)As for Mira, he kept his message brief on Telegram, stating: "I plan to stream and just live my life for a while. I’ll write about the reasons for my inactivity in a couple of days."
While Mira has not yet revealed the full details behind his decision, it appears that he, too, is taking a short break from competitive play, much like Raddan. He plans to provide an explanation in the coming days.
Despite these developments, Team Spirit’s legacy in Dota 2 remains undeniable. As two-time TI champions and Riyadh Masters winners, they've cemented their place as one of Dota 2's greatest teams. Their rise to the top and achievements have proven their excellence on the world stage.
The new roster has yet to be revealed, but it’s only a matter of time before Team Spirit makes an announcement. Soon, we'll know who will step in to fill the shoes of Raddan and Mira for the upcoming seasons and tournaments.
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