According to sources close to Sheep Esports, Albert "stonezy" Makushev has reached a verbal agreement with Barça eSports ahead of the 2026 Challengers Spain season. He joins a project undergoing a full rebuild, with only Adolfo "Fit1nho" Gallego retained from a turbulent campaign in the Iberian league, along with the existing coaching staff. This agreement also follows the signing of Antonio "Guardy" Guardiola, also reported earlier by Sheep Esports.

The esports branch of Catalonia’s most famous club is therefore set to secure the services of stonezy for the upcoming season. Comfortable both as a Sentinel and as a Duelist, the Spanish-Ukrainian player brings guaranteed firepower to Barça. With a kills-to-deaths ratio of 1.42, he was by far the leader in that category during Split 3 of the Spanish league, while also ranking in the top five across most other key statistics, including ACS (Average Combat Score), ADR (Average Damage per Round), and kills per round.

Barça secures a carry

This level of firepower is exactly what seemed to be missing for Barça throughout the year, outside their star Fit1nho. After finishing sixth in Split 1, the team failed to advance beyond the group stage with two wins, six losses, and one draw. That disappointing showing was only compounded by an even tougher Stage 2, where Barça placed ninth and had to fight for survival in the relegation tournament.

They ultimately came out on top of the Up&Down tournament, securing their spot in the main league, before bouncing back in Split 3 with a strong Top 3/4 finish and a playoff appearance. Overall, it was a mixed year that prompted significant changes to the roster, but the club’s ambitions remain undiminished.

Barça eSports roster for Challengers Spain 2026:

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub.You can also follow every confirmed move and leak throughout the offseason with our Offseason Tracker.