AcroniK announces his retirement from professional Rocket League

After a seven-year career competing in the RLCS, Bruno Alexandre "AcroniK." dos Santos Lopes has retired from professional Rocket League. The Portuguese veteran announced the decision on twitter with a quick comment thanking the fans and saying “see you in the next chapter”. AcroniK became a household name when he teamed up with fellow prospects Oskar "Oski" Gozdowski and Tristan "Atow" Soyez on Team Liquid in their early years as professionals. The two youngsters, born just one day apart, were both 14 at the time of signing for Team Liquid, leaving AcroniK to be the senior figure on the up-and-coming team. AcroniK led the roster, alongside coach André “Xpere” Ruivinho, to five RLCS LAN appearances and a top-four at the 2022-23 World Championship. While success has not been as forthcoming since his departure from Team Liquid, AcroniK has remained a staple of the European scene since 2023.

AcroniK made his RLCS debut in 2020, amid rapid changes to the Rocket League landscape during the COVID-19 era. He earned his first Regional Open top-four during the Spring Split of RLCS X and quickly established himself as a bright prospect in Europe. He linked up with Aldin "Ronaky" Hodzic on Team Liquid, joining alongside Hrant "Flakes" Yakoub at a time when the organization was licking its wounds following a dismal RLCS X. While early results were not compelling, he helped orchestrate a move for Oski and Atow in February 2022, who were both 14-year-old prodigies with no RLCS experience. The move proved to be a masterstroke, as within three months Team Liquid was appearing in its first international LAN, the 2021-22 Spring Major. The team went on to be one of the strongest European rosters of their era, reaching the next four LANs and earning two domestic Open titles. The team disbanded after the 2022-23 season but have remained a fan favourite in the history books.

While AcroniK would never reach the same heights again as a player, he continued competing in the RLCS, playing for organizations like Luna Galaxy where he earned a shock second-place finish in the RLCS 2024 Regional Open #6, losing in narrow fashion to Team BDS 3-4, alongside Damian "Tox" Schäfer Sergio "AtomiK" Cortés. This would be AcroniK’s best result after departing Team Liquid. In his final year as a professional he appeared in the Kick-Off Weekend with NOVO Esports and qualified for four Regional Opens during RLCS 2026. The final event of his career came at the FIFAe Continental Championships, where he helped Portugal reach the playoffs, earning a top-eight finish.

The former Team Liquid star brings his long career to close having established himself as one of the Open Era’s most underrated professionals. AcroniK played a huge role in fostering two of esports’ special stars, who both continue to compete to this day. Representing four RLCS organizations across his career, he competed in a total of six RLCS LAN tournaments and played for his country. The 21-year-old opens up about his career and retirement in a special interview with his long-time friend, compatriot, and colleague, Xpere, who coached AcroniK during his time on Team Liquid and Luna Galaxy.

AcroniK joins a small list of high-profile retirements this offseason with former Major winner Jack "ApparentlyJack" Benton, Gamers8 2023 winner Robert "Comm" Kyser, Spanish veteran Marc "Stake" Bosch, and former Natus Vincere professional Luis "LuiisP" Peña all calling it a day.