Team Liquid Signs TI 2025 Champion Malr1ne as New Dota 2 Midlaner

Team Liquid has signed Stanislav "Malr1ne" Potorak as its new Dota 2 midlaner for the 2026-27 competitive season. The 22-year-old former Team Falcons player replaces Michał "Nisha" Jankowski, who recently stepped away from professional competition.

Liquid announced the signing on October 15, 2026, through a video featuring highlights from Malr1ne's career. The move completes the organization's roster changes following The International 2026, bringing in a world champion who helped Falcons win The International 2025.

Nisha announced a break from competitive Dota 2 on September 28, ending nearly four years with Team Liquid. His departure created a major vacancy in the roster, particularly after his contributions to the organization's championship-winning campaigns.

During his time with Liquid, Nisha helped the team win The International 2024 and established himself as a key part of its competitive success.

Liquid had already made changes following its fifth-sixth-place finish at The International 2026. Offlaner Marcus "Ace" Hoelgaard departed in September, with former LGD Gaming player Adrián "Wisper" Dobles joining as his replacement.

The organization also used veteran midlaner Yeik "MidOne" Nai Zheng as a temporary stand-in at BLAST Slam VIII. Liquid finished ninth-12th at the tournament, leaving the team searching for a permanent replacement ahead of the new season.

Malr1ne's signing now fills that position and completes the updated lineup.

Malr1ne joined Team Falcons in 2023 and became one of the team's standout performers. He developed a reputation for aggressive laning and versatility, frequently playing heroes such as Timbersaw, Sand King, Pangolier and Puck.

His biggest achievement came at The International 2025, where Falcons defeated Xtreme Gaming in the grand final to claim the Aegis of Champions.

Falcons returned to The International in 2026 but finished seventh-eighth after losing to Liquid in the lower bracket. The organization subsequently withdrew from competitive Dota 2, leaving Malr1ne available to join another team.

His arrival gives Liquid another player with experience winning the game's biggest tournament. It also brings together members of the organizations that won The International in 2024 and 2025.

With Malr1ne joining the team, Liquid's lineup for the 2026-27 season consists of Michael "miCKe" Vu as carry, Malr1ne in the midlane and Wisper as offlaner. Samuel "Boxi" Svahn and Erik "tOfu" Engel complete the roster as supports, with tOfu serving as captain. William "Blitz" Lee remains part of the coaching staff.

The updated roster is expected to make its competitive debut at PARI Universe, an online tournament running from October 22 to November 1. Organized by FISSURE, the event features a $250,000 prize pool and 10 participating teams.

Liquid will compete alongside organizations including Team Spirit, Team Yandex and PARIVISION. The tournament could also provide an early meeting between Malr1ne and his former Falcons teammate Ammar "ATF" Al-Assaf, who has joined Team Yandex.

PARI Universe will offer the first competitive test of Liquid's new midlane and offlane combination as the organization begins its 2026-27 campaign.