“I want to keep going for many years” - Enzo after tough Ascension loss

The first team to ascend to VCT EMEA from VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Ascension EMEA was decided in the matchup between Mandatory and ULF Esports. In the end, ULF won the Ascension title as they swept Mandatory 3-0.

At the helm of Mandatory, in-game leader Enzo "Enzo" Mestari has been part of the pro scene since VALORANT’s release. Having competed in both Tier 1 and Tier 2, he’s no stranger to high-stakes matches or tough losses. In an interview with THESPIKE.GG after their defeat, Enzo shared how this year has shaped him for the better and that retirement isn’t anywhere on his radar.

Loss against ULF in Ascension final

Coming in hot from two previous 2-0 wins, Mandatory looked caught off-guard by ULF, who quickly took control with their fast-paced, aggressive playstyle. According to Enzo, the match went ULF’s way because of individual performance differences.

ULF’s Duelist Efe "s0pp" Tur had an outstanding showing, something Mandatory lacked in the series. The loss hit hard for Enzo, who experienced a similar heartbreak with Apeks in 2023.

I feel proud of the team because of everything we’ve achieved this year. They’re a group of very, very lovely people. I honestly love them. On the other hand, I feel sad because our dream is to play in VCT, and we just lost today.

Enzo’s long journey in Tier 1 and 2

I'm pretty proud of what I’ve accomplished with my previous teams. And the thing that remains is my competence. I become more and more competent every single year. I become better at the game and better as a leader.

Enzo has now played professional VALORANT for five years, bouncing between Tier 1 and Tier 2. From his perspective, those years have made him stronger and a more refined leader. His most successful run came with Fnatic in 2022, when he won the VCT 2022 - EMEA - Stage 2 - Challengers - Main Event and competed on every international stage that year. After Fnatic, Enzo spent a year with Apeks, ending second place and missing out on the Ascension title.

While he’s had plenty of experience as an IGL, the road hasn’t always been smooth. One of his few regrets comes from his time with Team Liquid, where he struggled to align with the coaching staff.

I do have some regrets with Team Liquid, simply because I had absolutely no match with the coach, and I couldn’t do my IGL-ing like I did this year, for example. So that’s a form of regret, because it was such a beautiful club with huge potential.

Missing the VCT

It’s now been a year since Enzo last competed in VCT with Liquid, and he admits he misses Tier 1 play a lot. Competing in VCL from home without traveling or stage play just isn’t the same. Enzo wants to be back under the arena lights, in front of a crowd, with everything on the line. Having missed the chance to advance to the VCT for next season, Enzo now has to find another way back to the big league.

He’s gone from Tier 1 to Tier 2 twice in the past three years. While some might view that as a step back, Enzo sees it differently.

Maybe it looks like a step back, but I always look at it as a challenge. And like I said before, what remains no matter what is my competence, my skills, my leadership. That’s not going to change.

A veteran player

Having been in the scene for so long, it’s no surprise Enzo is now one of the older players on stage. At 29 years old, he doesn’t believe age makes any difference on the server. While some older players start stepping away, Enzo believes veterans are crucial for team balance because of their experience and work ethic.

I think organizations will see the quality and the experience these older players have, and that's very needed in every single team. A team is always about balance. You cannot have like 5 super young players.

The grind continues

Even though he’s once again fallen short in an Ascension final and won’t be advancing to the VCT this year, Enzo isn’t stopping his grind anytime soon.

For now, I want to keep going for many years. I want to be the best IGL I can be. I’m getting so much better, and what I bring to a team is great. I know it’s working. And I want to be able to do that in VCT.

With years of experience as an IGL, Enzo’s confidence remains unshaken. The dream of returning to VCT still burns bright. His future remains uncertain for now, but if needed, he’s ready for another Ascension run. The offseason will decide where we’ll see Enzo in 2026.

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Featured image credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games.