Fnatic, one of the leading teams in Valorant, has consistently showcased its skill on the global stage. This was especially evident last season when the team secured several titles, solidifying its status as one of the top four teams of the year. However, in the new season, the team faced some challenges, missing out on the first Masters tournament. Despite this setback, Fnatic managed to qualify for the second Masters. After the tournament, the team announced a forced roster change due to health issues of one of their players. This change opened the door for young talent Emirhan "hiro" Kat to step up and prove himself.
Leo's Departure
The departure of Leo "Leo" Jannesson from Fnatic's main roster was a shock to the team's fans. Leo had been a key player since joining the "orange and black" in 2022, significantly contributing to the team's success. After the VALORANT Champions Tour 2024: Masters Shanghai, the organization officially announced that Leo would be benched temporarily to address health issues. His place was taken by young talent Emirhan "hiro" Kat, who had no prior experience at this level. This change occurred just before the main tournament of the season, which could have jeopardized Fnatic's chances of qualifying for Valorant Champions 2024.
Who is Hiro?
Emirhan "hiro" Kat is an 18-year-old Dutch professional Valorant player of Turkish descent. His serious career began in 2022 with the team WYLDE. Although the team did not achieve significant success in the French league, Hiro moved to the Turkish Challengers league, joining Papara SuperMassive. During the first split, he ranked among the top 15 players, even though he played the role of an initiator rather than a key position.
Hiro didn't complete the second split with the Turkish team because he received an offer he couldn't refuse—to join Fnatic in place of Leo and participate in the VCT franchise league. And not just any tournament, but the VALORANT Champions Tour 2024: EMEA Stage 2, where three slots for the world championship were at stake.
Hiro's Debut for Fnatic
Hiro's arrival in Fnatic's lineup was a revelation for the team. The young player quickly adapted to his new role and delivered impressive performances, finishing the VALORANT Champions Tour 2024: EMEA Stage 2 with an average KD of 1.16 and an average of 15 kills per map. These stats placed him 27th among the best players in the EMEA region.
His skill, quick reflexes, and ability to work with the team helped Fnatic maintain its high level of play. Thanks to Hiro, the team retained its status as one of the best teams in the EMEA, winning the VALORANT Champions Tour 2024: EMEA Stage 2 and securing a coveted spot in the upcoming world championship, where the team was originally supposed to compete with Leo "Leo" Jannesson, but...
An Unexpected Turn
Everyone expected Leo "Leo" Jannesson to return for the playoffs of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2024: EMEA Stage 2, but that didn't happen. The organization announced that Leo was not yet ready to return to play, so he would miss not only the crucial stage of the tournament but also the upcoming world championship. As a result, the team will head to Valorant Champions 2024 with a substitute—Emirhan "hiro" Kat. This player, who just months ago was competing in the Challengers league, will make his debut at his first world championship at the age of 18.
Benefits of the Forced Roster Change
Fnatic has introduced a new player who they might sign permanently in the future if the team faces difficulties and needs to make a roster change. The team has become more flexible, having gone unchanged since 2022. This experience will be valuable in the future for better player selection.
Undoubtedly, the biggest beneficiary of the forced change was the player himself, as he got the opportunity to play against the strongest teams in the EMEA and showcase his abilities, catching the attention of many other teams. He managed to do this despite being only 18 years old and making his debut. Despite the immense pressure, he delivered strong performances and helped Fnatic qualify for Valorant Champions 2024.
Fnatic's Future with Hiro
Even in the best-case scenario for Fnatic at Valorant Champions 2024, it is unlikely that the club will part ways with Leo "Leo" Jannesson and sign Emirhan "hiro" Kat permanently unless Leo fails to resolve his health issues during this time.
However, this doesn't mean Hiro lacks motivation to perform his best at the upcoming world championship. The better his performance, the more attention he will attract from other teams, especially those in the franchise league, which is crucial heading into 2025. Many player contracts will expire at the end of this year, and if anyone decides not to renew, we can expect significant roster changes during the offseason. Hiro could be one of those players entering the franchise league, given his level of play.
Conclusion
Introducing Hiro to Fnatic's lineup was a forced change that proved to be incredibly beneficial for the team. The young talent not only managed to compensate for the loss of Leo but also brought new energy and fresh ideas to the team. Thanks to Hiro, Fnatic was able to maintain its form and confirm its status as the strongest team in the EMEA, securing a spot in Valorant Champions 2024.
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