Sentinels won VCT Masters Madrid in a historic return global success for the organization. Many stories unfolded for this over the past few days; TenZ continuing the be VALORANT’s superstar, Zekken emerging as the World’s best Duelist, johnqt leading a team to global success as a rookie, and Sacy making history as the first Champions and Masters winner.
But arguably nobody on the lineup had quite as big of an impact on Sentinels’ success in Madrid as Zellsis. His ‘vibes merchant’ persona — however much a playful moniker — comes from his crucial role in keeping up the team atmosphere and bringing out the best in his teammates.
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His hyping of the crowd during the final against Gen.G and taunting of his opponents during the decider on Icebox elevated his team – his confidence brought up those around him while Gen.G regressed and looked more and more uncomfortable as the final map went on. The usually animated Munchkin sat slumped in his chair, wanting to be anywhere else but the Madrid Arena at that moment.
Credit: Hara Amoros |Riot Games
Unbreakable mental and untiltable by opponents
Zellsis’ impact hasn’t only been felt in-game. An interview with coach Kaplan revealed how the former Counter-Strike player performed a key duty in their title run. He highlighted how Zellsis’ actions prevented any capitulation following the loss on Split in the lower bracket final – instead encouraging the team to let out their frustrations during a “really, really heated five minutes” to allow a mental reset for the next map, which SEN won convincingly to secure their grand finals spot.
Zellsis’ competitive story could’ve, and almost did, vear in a much different direction. Having initially signed on to fill a substitute role at SEN, Zellsis had no expectations to play at all this year, thinking that his pro career was potentially winding down as revealed by the player following the Masters win.
“I kind of came to terms with [the fact] I may never play professionally again… I was okay with being a sub, making content, things like that.”
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“I’m blessed too that I was able to come in and show my worth. These guys allowed me to play with them and believed in me. I’m sure it was not easy; me coming in, being the vibe merchant and all the energy and yelling at them and everything else. So yeah, I’m just blessed to be here right now.”
Instead of bowing out, he’s forged himself a crucial role as the glue holding together Sentinel’s squad, with their fortunes reliant on him elevating them to peak performance. He’s become the most important player on the world’s best VALORANT team.
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