Can the plight of MIBR players lead to a new beginning?
The Brazilian CS:GO powerhouse MIBR is over as we know it. Weak performances, internal strife and organizational disputes have caused one of the most established CS:GO rosters to break apart.
Two of the biggest stars on the team Fernando “fer” Alvarenga and Epitacio “TACO” de Melo were dismissed. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo benched himself and coach Ricardo “dead” Sinigaglia was released from the organization following a coach cheating scandal. Only Alencar “trk” Rossato and Vito “kNg” Giuseppe remain, but have also shown dissatisfaction with the situation.
The future of the players and MIBR as a team is now put in question, with many asking themselves if this is the end?
© ESL Pro League
Troubling history
The roster itself has been involved in one controversy ever since they made the switch from Luminosity to SK Gaming back in 2016. Disagreements between teams led by FalleN and host organizations is nothing new.
Back in 2016, the players signed a letter of intent to renew their contracts with the Luminosity organization. However, with their salaries and working conditions already established, SK Gaming contacted each player to negotiate a transfer. In what was seen as a real soap opera between Luminosity and SK went on for months. Some players in the squad negotiated individually with the German organization, without the knowledge of Luminosity. In the end, a transfer was completed with the roster remaining in Los Angeles as part of the North American scene, and entitled to use SK’s facilities in Germany for training and bootcamp purposes.
Two years later, another intrigue followed between the players and their own organization. With a series of demonstrations, SK Gaming players showed that they were unhappy with their current status in the team. As soon as their contracts expired, SK Gaming released the entire roster and the Immortals organization picked up the entire roster overnight. As a result the good ol’ MIBR brand was revived.
Now two years later, and we have another drama within the organization. None of the players on the team are content with their teammates being cut. Over the past year MIBR has lost part of its core and has replaced both players and coaches.
With their 2020 performances dwindling, uproar and drama in their matches, cheating accusations made by the players against Nathan “Leaf” Orf leading to death threats, and finally coach Ricardo “dead” Sinigaglias’ own cheating scandal have left mibr in tatters.
ESL One Cologne 2015
Luminosity at the end of the tunnel
Amid all this frustration from the players, uncertainty what the Immortals organization wants to do, and pressure by the fans, Steve “Buyaka” Maida has extended an olive branch to the roster that built up his brand. Referencing Michael Jordans Netflix documentary, Buyaka asked the fans to showcase their support towards reuniting this storied roster.
Brazilian CSGO fans 🇧🇷. If I get to 20k Twitter followers I will set a meeting to discuss if the Last Dance CSGO is possible. Is the Brazilian force still strong? Do the fans actually want this?
Let’s see… ☺️
— LG Buyaka (@SteveMaida) September 14, 2020
Sure enough, the goal was easily reached, opening doors for a potential return of the double world champions. Soon after, posts and discussion started to appear on the players’ networks, mainly empowered by Lincoln “fnx” Lau and his Twitter post.
Interestingly enough, Buyaka himself was on the receiving side of drama by this roster years ago. They went behind his back when dealing with SK Gaming and ultimately abandoned the organization. Its now him who comes back asking for more from the Brazilians.
The Last Dance feasibility
We are aware the fans would already be satisfied if the iconic line-up just played together regardless of success. And when it comes to success, all of the “Last Dance” candidates have not found any lately.
We already discussed the recent collapse of the MIBR and the fate of fer, TACO and FalleN. When it comes to Coldzera, we can clearly see FaZe Clan is not having a good run as a team and he himself is not putting up the numbers either. The last player in the line-up fnx, the only player who stayed away from the international CS:GO scene, who is also in a down phase of his career. This rounds out the complete roster of five under performers that cant put up good results if they do not play together.
Based on their performance numbers, it isn’t impossible to contract all five players into a new organization. After all, they might all be already negotiation it behind their organizations backs as is tradition.
Media success guaranteed
In the end, FalleN and co find themselves at a classic crossroads of living long enough to become the villain. It is almost certain that if the Last Dance really happens, the market success will be immense, given the strength in numbers Brazilian fans offer.
Even in their “terrible phase”, MIBR reached extremely high numbers of audience. Their numbers are comparable to or greater than those of the ESL Pro League. Even when struggling to beat low-ranking teams, this roster has plenty of viewers. Furthermore, their numbers have always been higher than rival FURIA, which is showing good results in 2020 but still cannot get close to the influence gap to MIBR.
Throughout this rosters’ history, drama has always been abundant. Yet, they always garner massive support from their loyal native Brazilian fans.
As for the MIBR name and the Immortals organization, we are yet to understand what is in store. If the deal goes through, the most famous Brazilian CS:GO brand will have to sign new talent and either divide local fans or give birth to a whole new rivalry.
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