Insania announces retirement from Dota 2 pro play

Team Liquid captain Insania has officially announced his retirement from professional Dota 2, ending a remarkable decade-long career that saw him rise from a Heroes of Newerth prodigy to a world champion.

Team Liquid confirmed the news on Oct. 7, sharing an emotional farewell: “After six unforgettable years with Team Liquid, Insania is retiring from professional Dota 2.” For Insania, the journey reached its peak at The International 2024, where he led Team Liquid to victory and lifted the Aegis of Champions.

The organization described that triumph as “a moment that will always be a defining part of our team’s history.” It was the culmination of six years of leadership, resilience, and growth with a roster he helped rebuild from the ground up after joining Liquid in October 2019. Under his captaincy, the team evolved into one of the strongest in Western Europe, consistently challenging for titles on the international stage.

Insania’s career wasn’t without its setbacks. Fans still remember the infamous “Gyrocopter incident” at The International 2019, where he accidentally drafted Gyrocopter instead of banning it during a crucial lower bracket match, eventually leading to elimination. It became a moment of humility and humor in his journey that made his eventual TI victory with Liquid even more meaningful.

Over the years, Insania’s achievements included a third-place finish at TI 2022, multiple top-three Major results in 2023, and two championship wins at PGL Wallachia in 2025.

In their farewell, Team Liquid expressed immense appreciation for his contributions, saying it will “share something special soon to honor his legacy.” The team now faces a major transition following both Insania’s departure and SabeRLight-’s move to AVULUS on loan after TI 2025.

The remaining core of Nisha, miCKe, and Boxi will be an integral part of Team Liquid’s rebuild over the coming weeks. For miCKe and Boxi, it’s a personal chapter too, as both were Insania’s teammates back in their Heroes of Newerth days, completing a story that began years before their TI triumph together.

Insania’s retirement marks the close of a defining chapter in competitive Dota 2 history. From his early HoN dominance to lifting the Aegis, his career stands as a testament to perseverance, leadership, and an enduring passion for the game. As he steps away from the professional stage, his legacy remains firmly cemented as one of Dota’s most intelligent and beloved captains.