In the process of rebuilding for the second half of the CBLOL season,
opted for a young lineup focused on long-term development. After a complete roster overhaul, only
remains from the team that won the CBLOL Cup earlier this year, naturally stepping into a bigger leadership role within the project.
In an exclusive interview, the top laner discussed
comments from earlier this week, explained how the switch to mostly Portuguese communication has impacted the team, talked about his growth as a leader within LOUD, and detailed how he views the current state of the project, which, according to him, is still being built but has the potential to grow over the next few years.
Honestly, there was no other place to start. During the week, in Fluxo’s vlog, Zothve talked about you and said you were a “normal player.” I want to use this post-game moment to ask how you received that comment and how you evaluated this matchup against him.
Xyno: I received that comment in a very calm way. I didn’t think it was anything serious or that he was being disrespectful. I think that’s part of competition, and I believe it’s good to have these kinds of exchanges. I wouldn’t even consider it trash talk. I think he just wanted to share his point of view and also create content for his vlog, so I completely understand.
Regarding today’s matchup, I think we did what we set out to do. We still have a lot to improve. There were some moments where we fell short, and I feel like the games were much closer than they should have been. Especially after the fights I had in the first game and also if we hadn’t overchased in the second one.
So, regarding his message, I really think it’s part of competition. I never felt disrespected. I responded because I feel like I have the right to do so, and also because it’s part of this competitive environment.
At the beginning of the year, you played with YongJae and Bull, meaning all communication had to happen in English. Now, after the lineup changes, the team communicates in Portuguese. How was that transition, and how much has it changed the team’s in-game dynamics?
Xyno: I think this change has been really good, especially when you’re talking about young players. Having easier and cleaner communication makes a huge difference. You can exchange ideas immediately without having to think or translate everything in your head. Moving from English to Portuguese helped a lot, especially because we have young players.
Another really positive thing is that, in the previous lineups where communication was in English, I felt like I had to talk much more. I ended up taking on a much bigger role in terms of in-game communication, guiding the team and creating plans.
In a way, that ended up becoming overwhelming. Today, I feel like that responsibility is much more distributed among everyone. I still talk a lot because I like expressing my ideas, but that role is much more balanced now.
That helps a lot because when all that responsibility is concentrated on one person, if that person has a bad day, the entire team ends up being affected. When everyone participates in communication, you can compensate for that. Today, for example, Rabelo wasn’t feeling well, I think because of vertigo, so we were able to communicate for him. That’s really important.
You joined LOUD at the beginning of the year as one of the biggest rookies in this project. A few months later, almost the entire lineup changed, and now you’re the longest-tenured player in the organization. What was it like experiencing that shift in perspective? Do you feel like you have taken on a leadership role within the team?
Xyno: Definitely. Like I’ve said before, I feel like I’ve been able to develop this leadership role within the team. It was really important for both my career and my life to have this opportunity at LOUD and adapt to this environment.
Even during the first split, I felt like the team needed that leadership. Even with experienced players, their role was more about setting an example rather than being the person who demanded things or gave teammates a wake-up call.
I think I’m able to demand a lot from others while always thinking about what I believe is best for the team. And they also feel completely comfortable holding me accountable when necessary.
Being a leader teaches me more than anything else. I learn how to become a better person, a better human being, communicate better, and help my teammates in the best way possible. This role wasn’t something that was planned for me when the project was created, but it ended up fitting me really well. I’m very happy to be able to do it.
When LOUD built this project at the beginning of the year, many people saw the team as a long-term project. Then came the CBLOL Cup title, roster changes, and now you’re the only remaining player from that lineup. How do you see this project internally? Is LOUD already ready to compete for titles, or is this still a development project?
Xyno: It’s definitely a long-term project. We still have a lot to build. We have very raw players, and we still need to develop our roles and our identities as players.
Since nobody is extremely experienced, there’s an opportunity for us to grow together. That’s something very positive, but it takes time. We need that time to build a legacy and create a project that can become dominant over the next few years.
I think this split is a championship we can win, but we’re much more grounded now. We’re taking things one game at a time, one week at a time, one routine at a time.
It’s a slow process, but I believe that’s how we can absorb things better and truly improve as players, instead of simply thinking about winning at all costs. We want to become the best athletes and the best professionals.
Right now, I see us much more as underdogs trying to play good games against strong teams rather than title favorites. We still have a lot to prove, and personally, I like being in this position.
Finally, you’ve experienced what feels like three different LOUD lineups this year. What was the biggest change in this team’s playstyle? What does this current LOUD have that the team from the beginning of the season didn’t?
Xyno: I think the biggest difference is the hunger. Everyone really wants to prove themselves and do their best. I would also highlight professionalism.
We’re still not a reference in that area and we still have a lot to improve, myself included. But I feel like we’re growing a lot as professionals. Our routine and our day-to-day environment are very organized, and we’re making the most of that.
Another huge difference is the culture. Today, we have players with the same goals and a very similar mindset. You can tell that people genuinely like each other. There’s unity, and the environment is fun.
I think having fun completely changes the way you work. When you enjoy what you do and enjoy the people you work with, your overall well-being changes completely.
In other lineups this year, I felt a lot of internal pressure to deliver results because the environment wasn’t as fun. It felt more like an obligation. Today, I feel like that enjoyment gives our work a different purpose.
One thing that has never changed, regardless of the lineup, is the fanbase and the weight of the LOUD jersey. Being able to play here is an incredible privilege and something I can’t even describe in words.
The fans are extremely important to our project because we play for them. And the structure we have at LOUD is unmatched. With this support and everything we’re building, I believe we can go very far.”
