After a breakthrough season that ended in Champions glory, we had the chance to discuss with Adam "mada" Pampuch just before the VALORANT Red Bull HomeGround start. The NRG Duelist reflects on his rise to the top as a rookie, how he adapted to NRG’s roster changes, and how he has remained hungry for success despite reaching the pinnacle of his career so early on.

2025 was a roller coaster for NRG: early struggles, roster instability, and then a turnaround leading to the ultimate win. As a new member, what was it like living through those highs and lows in one season?

Adam "mada" Pampuch: "I always believed in the end goal, winning Champions. I never lost sight of that. As long as we stayed focused and united around that common purpose, I knew the results would come.

You entered NRG as a rookie in tier one after dominating tier two and immediately posted standout numbers. Did you expect to make such an impact so quickly?

mada: I’ve always believed in myself, so I wasn’t really surprised. I was just glad I finally had the chance to show it. It’s years of work culminating in one performance.

The team made several roster changes, Verno benched, FNS retired, then additions like Brocks, and Scuba. How did those adjustments affect your role or the team’s playstyle overall?

Mada: I realized I needed to adapt. I’m a flexible player, I can carry if needed, and I showed that early but later on, I focused on entering and making space for my team. That became more important. We had different players and even two coaches, so the play style and philosophy shifted several times. By the end, we found the right recipe and it worked.

By Stage 2 playoffs, NRG really hit its stride. What clicked late in the year that wasn’t there at the start?

Mada: With the new roster, Skuba (Logan Jenkins) and bonkar (Malkolm Rench) it was just a matter of time before we gelled. Fortunately, we peaked at the right moment. It wasn’t magic; it was daily work on fundamentals and protocols. The results speak for themselves.

Let’s talk about the Champions Grand Final, you won on the biggest stage. What was that moment like, and how did the team react afterward?

mada: After the press conference, we went back to the hotel for maybe ten minutes, then straight to the Red Bull after-party. We didn’t have much time to process it right away. The next day, on the flight home, it finally hit us “We really did that.” That’s when the emotions set in.

You’ve become known for your explosive entries but also for using the Operator effectively. How do you decide when to go hyper-aggressive versus playing for picks?

mada: I can’t give away all my secrets, but it’s instinct. It’s all up here. You just know when it’s time to switch.

In that same final, you played five maps with five different duelists. How do you maintain that versatility and impact across so many agents?

mada: It’s all hard work. When you pick up a new agent, you need to think critically, what works, what doesn’t, and why. Even if something works once, it might not actually be good. It’s about being intentional, detail-oriented, and repeating until it becomes natural. For Ethan (Ethan Arnold), it's the same way, very meticulous. It’s just practice, practice, practice.

Over the season you recorded ten aces, which is wild. Do you remember your first one, and were you ever consciously chasing that stat?

Mada: Never chasing, it just happens. I think my first was against 100 Thieves, maybe on Pearl. One of my first games I had three aces, and I guess it just kept going from there.

Many have credited Ethan’s leadership and experience for helping NRG rebound. What did you learn from veterans like Ethan and s0m that elevated your play this year?

Mada: Mainly their work ethic. They lead by example. s0m (Sam Oh), for instance, after practice, we’d go out to eat, but sometimes he’d stay back, order food, and keep grinding. Seeing that dedication every day motivates you. Their drive to win inspired me to push harder.

You’re one of the youngest players ever to win a world championship. How do you stay hungry after reaching the top so early, and what motivates you heading into 2026?

mada: A lot of players see Champs as the ultimate goal. For me, it’s just the first step. I don’t want one title, I want a legacy. Winning multiple events, that’s the goal. So yes, I’m still hungry. We're aiming for a legacy, that’s what we want.

North America had a rough reputation in 2024, but with LOUD , EG, and now NRG winning Champs, NA seems back on top. Do you feel regional pride bringing the trophy home, and how do you see NA shaping up in 2026?

mada: Definitely some pride. What’s cool is seeing old players come back because our win motivated them. That kind of ripple effect means a lot. As for the region, I think NA’s future is bright, it always has been. Look at the rookies last year: me, Verno (Andrew Maust), zander (Alexander Dituri), v1c (Victor Truong), brawk (Brock Somerhalder), Skuba, etc. The talent pool here runs deep. I’d say deeper than almost anywhere else.

Red Bull Home Ground is a lower-stakes event compared to Champs. Are you approaching it as a competitive test or more of a relaxed event for fun and team bonding?

mada: More of a test. We want to see where the meta’s heading, what agents are good, and what’s not. We also have a new fifth, so it’s a chance to build chemistry, go out in New York, enjoy meals together, and get comfortable as a group. Winning would be nice, but the priority is connection and preparation."