Alfajer to miss match against Paper Rex due to health issues; former Fnatic player to sub in

Fnatic has announced via X that star player Emir "Alfajer" Ali Beder will not be competing in today’s match against Paper Rex at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions due to health issues. Stepping in as the fifth player is Domagoj "Doma" Fancev, who will be subbing in under high-stakes conditions. With a spot in the Upper Final on the line, the news comes as a surprise to fans and puts Fnatic in a tough position heading into the match.

Health Concerns for Alfajer

Fnatic confirmed that Alfajer has been dealing with health concerns over the past few days. Following advice from medical professionals and team staff, he has been ruled out of today’s match to prioritize his recovery. While his condition is reportedly improving, the organization made it clear that Alfajer’s health and well-being come first, with hopes of seeing him return later in Champions.

Doma Faces Enormous Pressure

Stepping into Alfajer’s role is Doma, who is currently signed to Enterprise Esports and primarily plays Initiator and Sentinel roles. From 2020 to 2022, Doma was part of Fnatic’s core roster and played alongside Jake "Boaster" Howlett during VCT 2021 - VALORANT Champions 2021—making this a reunion and a return to the biggest stage in VALORANT.

Fnatic expressed confidence in Doma’s ability to rise to the occasion, pointing to his prior experience with the team and his synergy with current players. Despite the high-pressure situation, they believe he can help carry the team forward.

A Massive Matchup

Both Paper Rex and Fnatic are fan-favorite organizations with deep playoff runs and loyal global followings. The matchup was already one of the most anticipated of the tournament—but with Alfajer sidelined, the odds now tilt in PRX’s favor.

To make matters worse, Alfajer has been statistically one of the best players at Champions so far, currently sitting as the third-best performing player at the event. Losing him, even temporarily, is a major blow to Fnatic’s game plan and momentum.

Hope in Familiarity

Despite the circumstances, Doma’s similar playstyle to Alfajer could help soften the blow. His ability to slot into familiar roles may be exactly what Fnatic needs to stay competitive and keep their upper bracket hopes alive.

However, if Fnatic falls short, they’ll drop into the lower bracket, where every match becomes an elimination game.

For all things VALORANT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured image source: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games.