NAVI Thayger: "I thought LEC would be more professional [...] Teams freestlye a lot in scrims"

Exclusive interview with NAVI's jungler Thayger in Madrid, Spain

🇬🇧English

NAVI Thayger at the Riot Arena in Berlin

"I would probably go back to Barça if I didn't find myself in LEC next year"

This past weekend, Madrid became the heart of Spanish League of Legends as it hosted the Superliga Final Four. Amid the intensity of the matches and the passion of the crowd, we had the chance to sit down with Thayger, jungler in the LEC. In this interview, he shares his thoughts, reflects on his growth as a player, and breaks down what it means to compete on one of Europe’s most demanding stages.

A few days ago Legolas shared in an interview with Sheep Esports that Barça hasn’t quite adapted to your departure. He said he felt sad that you left just when the team was getting along best and was most united. How have you handled moving to Berlin and taking on this new challenge?

Francisco "Thayger" Mazo Sánchez: “It all happened very fast, but honestly, I really enjoyed it. It was a very short experience, just two months. And out of those two months, we were competing just for about a month. Despite the results, I have a good impression of the experience and I hope to be back next year.

Comparing what you experienced with Barça, where you won the Spring Split, and your time with NAVI, where you were eliminated so early in the season, what have these two challenges taught you as a person and as a player?

Thayger: I’ve always been on teams that weren’t favorites to win, and with NAVI I went in with the same mentality—we were not the favorites, but we would try to do our best. But I knew it was only a matter of time, before it all blew up. I’ve always made it far, and generally things have gone well, but this time that wasn’t the case. Happens.

Was the LEC how you imagined it? What’s the main difference you’ve seen between the Superliga and the LEC?

Thayger: Personally, I haven’t noticed that big of a difference. I didn’t find it hard to adapt at all. From the first day, the people I worked with were very happy with me. In terms of level, I didn’t notice any difference. I felt ready when the opportunity came up, and I still 100% see myself as ready for the LEC. One thing that did surprise me is that I thought they’d be a bit more professional. I haven't had any issues with NAVI, but when it comes to scrims, the teams, and so on… I think there’s a lot of teams who "freestyle". Sometimes they take a 20-minute break between games, and the next time it’s 40.

So, would you say that SL scrims were more worth it for you than the LEC ones?

Thayger: “In terms of time, more or less the same. In terms of seriousness… meh. I think there are three teams in the LEC that really take it seriously, that are organized. The rest of them freestyle more, they go with the flow.

Recently you complained on Twitter about the format. I’d like to hear your opinion. Do you think it’s a fair format?

Thayger: I can’t really complain, because we didn’t win a single map. But it was kind of tragic. Still, I’ve seen on Twitter that they’re going to remove the format. So if I’m lucky enough to return to the LEC, I’ll have no excuses. I’ll be starting from scratch and that’s fine by me. I’m glad they removed it. I didn’t like the format, and I haven’t heard anyone say they did.

Are you happy with your performance then? Do you think you could have worked a bit harder, or did you give it your all in your first ever LEC Split? I imagine that when you get promoted to the LEC you’re probably one of the most motivated people on earth, right?

Thayger: Yes, 100%. In fact, if you ask anyone on the team, they know I took it very seriously, I tryharded a lot, and that has been cristal clear. It’s true that things didn’t work out, but the people who worked alongside me know that I really put in the effort. I’ll take that away with me. It’s true I’m not satisfied with the level we showed on stage, but I am with my personal effort, for sure.

Speaking of the team, you mentioned on Twitter that you guys didn’t “click” as a team. What happened? What factors contributed to these results?

Thayger: I don’t know, I think it was all a bit forced. I don’t think Malrang’s (Kim Geun-seong) roleswap to support worked out. We weren’t a very good duo. We also didn’t manage to come together as a team. In the end, jungle and support have to be somewhat in sync, and that didn’t work out, along with other things. But I think that was a very important factor.

What should we expect from you in 2026?

Thayger: Good question, honestly. I hope to be in the LEC. I’d be lying if I said I don’t think I’ll be there. I believe I will be in the LEC. I don’t know which team, but I think I’ll be there. I have hope.

Last question. If you don't make it into the LEC next year, is there a chance you’ll return to Barça eSports?

Thayger: Yes, 100%.”

Header photo credit: LEC