MIBR finally confirm 2026 superteam with zekken, tex, and Mazino teaming up with aspas and Verno

Brazilian powerhouse MIBR has unveiled a star-studded roster for the 2026 VCT season, bringing together three proven championship-level talents in a bold attempt to build on their breakthrough 2025 campaign. The organization announced the signings of Zachary “zekken” Patrone, Roberto “Mazino” Rivas, and Ian “tex” Botsch, while retaining superstar duelist Erick “aspas” Santos, rising IGL Andrew “Verno” Maust, and head coach Daniel “fRoD” Montaner.

The move reunites three-fifths of the decorated 2024 LEVIATÁN roster that captured the Americas Stage 2 trophy and finished third at Champions. With aspas and Mazino having split from that legendary lineup after their success, and tex remaining with LEV through 2025, MIBR has now brought the core back together around Brazil’s most celebrated player.

Zekken and Old LEV Duo Come Onboard

Perhaps the most shocking addition is zekken, who departs Sentinels after establishing himself as one of the Americas’ most dangerous duelists. The Masters Madrid 2024 MVP helped revitalize Sentinels during the 2024 season, guiding them to their first Masters trophy since 2021 and a fourth-place finish at Champions.

However, 2025 proved to be a step backward for the red-and-black brigade. While Sentinels qualified for all three international events, they failed to find their footing when it mattered most. The team went winless at both Masters Bangkok and VALORANT Champions, with their best result coming at Masters Toronto where they secured a top-six placement.

Joining zekken are Mazino and tex, two players whose 2025 seasons fell short of expectations after their championship-caliber 2024 campaign. Mazino returned to KRÜ Esports following his departure from LEVIATÁN, but the Chilean org struggled to recapture their previous form. Neither KRÜ nor LEV managed to qualify for an international event throughout 2025.The 2024 version of LEVIATÁN, featuring aspas, Mazino, and tex, was a force to be reckoned with. They lifted the Americas Stage 2 trophy and reached the semifinals of Champions Seoul, cementing themselves as one of the region’s elite rosters.

Verno Returns to the Helm

Verno’s journey to becoming MIBR’s IGL is a testament to resilience in competitive VALORANT. One of the most hyped rookies entering 2025, he joined what was expected to be a powerhouse NRG roster. However, things quickly unraveled during Kickoff, and Verno found himself benched shortly after the tournament following which he joined MIBR.

Under Verno’s calling, MIBR qualified for their first international events in over two years, attending both Masters Toronto and Champions Paris. Most impressively, he led the team to a top-six finish at Champions, where MIBR exceeded expectations and announced their arrival as legitimate contenders. His tactical growth throughout the season earned him a permanent spot as the roster’s cornerstone heading into 2026.

Building Around aspas’ Legacy

At the center of it all remains aspas, the 2022 world champion whose brilliance continues to elevate every roster he touches. The 2025 season saw the Brazilian legend add to his trophy case of individual accolades, claiming both Player of the Year and Duelist of the Year honors in the Americas.

Aspas’ impact on MIBR in 2025 cannot be overstated. He guided the organization to third-place finishes at both Kickoff and Stage 1, earning their spot at Masters Toronto, MIBR’s first international appearance since LOCK//IN 2023. While Toronto proved disappointing with an early exit, aspas and MIBR bounced back with a vengeance at Champions Paris. There, he shattered records with an 80-kill performance against NRG in the playoffs, setting a new VCT international best-of-three record.

Beyond the in-game achievements, aspas was recognized for his sustained excellence throughout the circuit. His performances at both Masters Toronto and Champions Paris solidified his status as one of VALORANT’s all-time greats, and he capped the year as the highest-rated player at Champions, a fitting end to another dominant season.

MIBR’s 2025: A Season of Growth

The 2025 campaign marked a turning point for MIBR. After years of struggling in the lower half of the Americas standings, the addition of aspas and a roster of hungry young talents transformed them into genuine contenders. While Masters Toronto exposed the team’s inexperience, whereby they failed to win a map in a brutal opening-round loss to Gen.G, Champions Paris showcased their growth. MIBR dominated Group B, sweeping both Bilibili Gaming and Rex Regum Qeon before falling to eventual finalists Fnatic.

In the playoffs, they pushed NRG to the limit, with aspas’ historic performance nearly stealing victory from the eventual champions. Though they fell to DRX in the lower bracket, securing fifth-sixth place was a nice finish to their year.

With this new roster, MIBR positions itself as a title contender entering 2026. The combination of aspas’ world-class duelist play, zekken’s explosive aggression, Mazino and tex’s championship pedigree, and Verno’s developing leadership creates a roster with few weaknesses on paper. Head coach fRoD brings extensive tactical knowledge, having guided the team through their breakthrough 2025 season.

O MIBR JOGA. 🔥

Our Dream Team is here: @zekkenVAL, @mazinofps, @texerino, @vernofps, @aspaszin, @officialfrod, @happy1. pic.twitter.com/dhFb2Y7nyb

— MADE IN BRAZIL. (@MIBR) December 18, 2025

MIBR’s 2026 VCT Roster:

• Zachary “zekken” Patrone
• Ian “tex” Botsch
• Roberto “Mazino” Rivas
• Andrew “Verno” Maust
• Erick “aspas” Santos
• Daniel “fRoD” Montaner (Head Coach)

Questions remain about role distribution and how the team will integrate five star players into cohesive units, but the talent is undeniable. Having missed offseason tournaments due to aspas’ recent health issues, MIBR will debut their superteam lineup at the Americas Kickoff starting January 15. With one of the most talented rosters ever assembled in the region, expectations are sky-high.