FPX Valorant IGL BerLIN Retires Citing Health Issues

In a significant shake-up for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) CN scene, FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) in-game leader (IGL) Zhang “BerLIN” Bolin has announced his retirement from competitive play, citing health issues. The announcement, made via BerLIN’s personal Weibo account and confirmed by FPX, marks the end of a four-year career for the player, who has been a pivotal part of FPX’s Valorant journey since February 2022.

Career Highlights

BerLIN’s career began in July 2020, quickly establishing himself as a strategic and mechanically skilled player. His breakthrough came in 2021 with KPC, securing a 3rd-4th place finish at VCT Masters SEA Stage 1. Joining FunPlus Phoenix ZHUQUE in 2022, BerLIN played a crucial role in challenging EDward Gaming‘s regional dominance, culminating in a victory at the 2022 FGC VALORANT Invitational Epilogue. This success led to the ZHUQUE roster’s promotion to FPX’s main team.

As IGL, BerLIN spearheaded FPX’s qualification for three consecutive international events in 2023: Masters Madrid, Masters Shanghai, and Champions Seoul. While international victories remained elusive until recently, Masters Shanghai 2024 saw BerLIN lead FPX to their first international win against FUT Esports, showcasing his leadership on home soil.

Reason for Retirement

In his retirement statement, BerLIN expressed that ongoing health issues were the primary reason for his decision. He emphasized not wanting his condition to negatively impact his teammates and conveyed a desire to return to competition in the future should his health improve. The Valorant community has responded with an outpouring of support for BerLIN, wishing him a speedy recovery and acknowledging his contributions to the game.

FPX’s Future and Roster Update

BerLIN’s departure leaves a significant void in the FPX Valorant roster as they head into VCT CN Stage 1. His strategic leadership and consistent presence will be missed. FPX is yet to officially announce a replacement, but rumors suggest Yang “Shr1mp” Yong may be stepping into the IGL role. Currently, the active FPX Valorant roster consists of:

• Zhang “AAAAY” Yang
• Kale “autumn” Dunne
• Qu “Life” Donghao
• Wang “yosemite” Lei
• Yang “Shr1mp” Yong (Rumored)

The team faces a critical period of adjustment as they prepare for upcoming matches, with their next scheduled game in under two weeks against Titan Esports Club. The organization and fans alike will be keenly watching how FPX adapts to this significant roster change and moves forward in the VCT CN 2025 season.

BerLIN’s retirement marks the end of an era for FPX Valorant and the VCT CN region. His dedication, strategic prowess, and memorable moments will be fondly remembered by fans and the esports community. We wish BerLIN the best in his recovery and future endeavors.