Team Vitality parts ways with 6th man UNFAKE

Team Vitality have officially announced their split with sixth man Bartosz "UNFAKE" Bernacki, bringing an end to what has been a turbulent chapter for both the player and the organization. But they did upload a heartfelt video, thanking him for stepping up when they needed him most.

UNFAKE was first brought into the Vitality roster in June 2025, following the team's disappointing run at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 1. Despite carrying the label of an "EMEA Super Team," Vitality had seen their form decline sharply after a promising Kickoff 2025. The organization moved to address this by signing UNFAKE alongside Blendi "KovaQ" kovaci, hoping a fresh shake-up would reignite their competitive edge. Unfortunately, the reshuffle did little to shift the tide, as Vitality replicated their Stage 1 results and again finished 7th-8th in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 2.

Stepping In as a Stopgap

Heading into the 2026 season, Vitality underwent yet another roster overhaul, and UNFAKE was initially moved to the bench. However, a unique situation kept him relevant: young Moldovan talent Ștefan "Sayonara" Mîtcu was still underage, and under Riot Games' VCT ruleset, players under 18 are prohibited from competing in official events. With Sayonara unable to play, UNFAKE was reactivated as the sixth man to fill his spot.

But this second stint on the active roster couldn't produce the results Vitality desperately needed. The team finished 5th at VCT 2026 - EMEA Kickoff and failed to qualify for VCT 2026 - Masters Santiago 2026, extending the organization's streak of underperformance at the highest level of EMEA play.

A Free Agent Once More

With Sayonara finally turning 18 just days ago, UNFAKE's purpose on the roster had run its course. He announced his free agent status on March 7, shortly after his replacement officially came of age.

Despite the rocky circumstances surrounding his time at Vitality, UNFAKE remains a seasoned VCT-level professional. Given his experience, it would come as little surprise if he had already lined up his next move, and a fresh start may be exactly what he needs to reestablish himself in EMEA's competitive circuit.

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Featured Image Source: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games