Xi Lai Gaming welcome Midi to fill in for YoU's departure ahead of Masters Toronto

Yip "YoU" Man Ho's departure from XLG Esports has dealt a significant blow to China's first seed just weeks ahead of their debut at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025. To stem the bleeding, XLG has announced the addition of Trace Esports' Zhang "Midi" Jiajun as an emergency substitute for Toronto.

Historical issues resurface

YoU faced past matchfixing, cheating, and regime criticism allegations right after the team's victory at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - China Stage 1. Despite already serving a suspension by Riot in 2022 for the matchfixing incident while YoU publicly denied the cheating allegations, enormous pressure from Chinese fans pushed XLG to immediately suspend YoU pending investigation into these allegations. The situation was further escalated by YoU's decision to fully leave the team rather than just serve suspension, leaving XLG scrambling to find a replacement for the team's first international appearance.

Midi steps up

Fortunately, XLG has found a replacement in the form of young gun Midi. Despite his lack of Tier 1 experience, only having competed with Trace from April 2025 onwards, XLG are optimistic about his prospects, highlighting his "strategies and shooting." Midi's proficiency on the initiator role for Trace makes him an optimal fit for XLG, as YoU was primarily on Breach as well as the Sentinel role.

The replacement of YoU with Midi with little time heading into Toronto also calls into question how XLG's performance will stack up against international competition. XLG is the most important representative of the Chinese region's power level as its first seed, heightened by the fact that EDward Gaming, historically China's best team, is missing out on their first international tournament after eight consecutive appearances. Yet, XLG's structured system has shown the ability to adapt to roster changes, successfully changing IGLs multiple times with the most recent change from Colin "coconut" Chung to Ran "Viva" Lifan, so it is hopeful that Midi will be able able to slot into the team and carry on their dominant streak. Furthermore, XLG have more time than the second and third-seeds in the tournament to adapt to this sudden change with their bye into playoffs, improving their chances for a strong showing in their debut.

Much rests on XLG's shoulders to carve a name for themselves and dispel the one-team region narrative. WIth the setback of an emergency substitute in Midi, can the team take down big names like Fnatic and G2 Esports in Toronto? Stay tuned into THESPIKE.GG to find out.