KRÜ and Leviatán set to battle it out at Sao Paulo's LOCK//IN

With VCT LOCK//IN knocking at the door, it's time to get acquainted with the teams representing LATAM that will compete in the first official VALORANT championship by Riot Games in 2023. These were the teams chosen as partners for the VCT International Leagues and now they will have the opportunity to show first-hand everything they have prepared so far.

KRÜ Esports

Certainly one of the most dominant teams in the South American scene, KRU, founded by Argentine footballer Sergio Aguero, is a force to be reckoned with in the VALORANT scene. The team's upward trajectory began in early 2021 and from April of the same year they showed what they’re made of. KRU won all the regional championships of the year and managed to qualify for both Masters events, VCT 2021 - Stage 2 - Masters Reykjavík and VCT 2021 - Stage 3 - Masters Berlin - Group Stage. At those events, the team did not manage to get that far in the competition, but their moment to shine would still arrive at VCT 2021 - VALORANT Champions 2021. Throughout this major event, KRU showe competent VALORANT gameaplay, beating favorite teams from different regions, but unfortunately they couldn't make it to the Grand Finals and fell to M3 Champions in the semis.

The team's potent phase did not stop during 2021, in 2022 KRU kept up the pace. Alongside Leviatán, KRU appeared in all regional finals and managed to qualify for all international events of the year, [event=1247 ], VCT 2022 - Stage 2 - Masters Copenhagen and the most anticipated event, VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul. However, unlike 2021, KRU had a much more modest participation on the international scene, being eliminated in the first stages of these competitions.

With the spot secured for the 2023 International Leagues, the team made several changes to its roster. Until the end of 2022 this was the main team at KRU:

Leandro "Leazo" Liset (Coach) Alan Pablo "ddx" Salvati (Strategic Coach)

The team decided not to renew contracts with keznit, delz1k and Mazino, and brought xand from Ninjas in Pyjamas, Daveeys from E-Xolos LAZER and Melser from Leviatán, the Brazilian axeddy joined as the sixth-man. Among the new additions, xand and Melser are the most experienced players. The Brazilian has also played on international stages for FURIA and is a player who brings vast experience to the team. Melser was able to show his skills to the world during the Copenhagen Masters and Champions Istanbul. Therefore, to compete in the VCT 2023 Americas League, KRU looks as follows:

Leandro "Leazo" Liset (Coach) Alan Pablo "ddx" Salvati (Strategic Coach)

During the Off Season, at the beginning of December, the team had the opportunity to play against other franchised teams in 2022. During VCT 2022 OFF SEASON - Red Bull Home Ground 2022, players faced Team Vitality and Team Liquid from EMEA, and their rival in the Americas, Cloud9. Without much training time together and with substitutions in the main squad, the team had a good but modest campaign, finishing only in 4th place.

LEVIATÁN Esports

Of the 5 spots available for Latin America, Brazil took 3 of those. Alongside KRU, Leviatán will be the other Spanish-speaking representative during the VCT 2023 Americas League. Unlike its Latin counterparts, Leviatán has a slightly more recent foothold within the competitive VALORANT scene. Even though the team started its operations in 2020, it wasn't until the end of 2021 that it emerged as a force to be reckoned with. In November of 2021, the team announced what would become its new and most winning roster to date:

Dyamond "phonics" Pillon (Coach)

With the players above, Leviatan was always at the top of the table in the regional championships and alternated with KRU between the 1st and 2nd place of all the events they played. They managed to qualify for their first international championship, the VCT 2022 - Stage 2 - Masters Copenhagen, where they had an excellent performance and finished in 5th place. They also qualified for the VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul where they completely dominated the group stage and only fell in the playoffs to FunPlus Phoenix, one of the favorite squads at that moment.

With a place in the franchise assured, the team made some changes for the 2023 VALORANT season. With the departure of Melser, adverso, and vaiZ – who was previously replaced by Shy, from Leviatan Academy, the team brought KRU’s duo of Mazino and keznit. To complement those signings, they also brought former FURIA player Nozwerr. The trio has an impressive track record and has competed in several international VALORANT championships.

Therefore, with all the changes, this is how Leviatán’s squad is shaped for LOCK//IN in São Paulo, Brazil and the first season of the VCT Americas League:

Rodrigo "Onur" Milton Dalmagro (Coach)

Players to watch in 2023:

These are the 5 players who had the most positive impact on their respective teams in 2022. We expect to see an excellent performance from them at LOCK//IN and during the entirety of VCT 2023: