Zai announces “indefinite break from Dota;” Team Liquid down to four

A two-year journey with Team Liquid comes to an end for Ludwig "zai" Wåhlberg in the TI12 aftermath.

Post TI 2023 roster shuffle is kicking off and one of the first to make a change are Team Liquid, who will have to look for new options in the offlane.

After a full season of second place finishes at all the Majors and tier one events, Team Liquid finished their TI12 journey in the top six. Right after the loss to Gaimin Gladiators in the lower bracket, Ludwig "zai" Wåhlberg hinted at a possible retirement or an indefinite break for him in the exit interview. "This is probably my last TI,” Zai said, adding that he is thinking of taking a little break and “see what's up.”

Less than a week after his elimination from TI12, Zai confirmed via social media that he is indeed going to be “taking an indefinite break from Dota,” and thanked his teammates, his coaches, and his manager for the good memories.

2023 marked Zai’s ninth appearance on The International stage. He is the player with the most Top 4 finishes at TI after Clement "Puppey" Ivanov. TI12 could have had Zai being tied with Pueey, with six Top 4 finishes, but unfortunately, the loss to GG in the Top 6 this year will keep him just behind Team Secret’s captain.

Zai’s Top 4 placements on the TI stage

TI3 - 3rd place with Evil Geniuses
TI6 - 3rd place with Evil Geniuses
TI9 - 4th place with Team Secret
TI10 - 3rd place with Team Secret
TI11 - 2nd place with Team Liquid

With this not being a definitive goodbye to the pro scene from Zai, the fans can always hope that they will get to see him return to active play by the time The International 2024 approaches. Until then, Team Liquid have about a month to figure out their roster as the $1,000,000 ESL One Kuala Lumpur tournament is bound to take place mid-December.