Recently reported as out of
G2 Esports by
Sheep Esports ahead of
VALORANT Champions 2026, the team's captain has already found an option for next year. Jacob "
valyn" Batio could remain in
VCT Americas and join
LYON next season, sources tell
Sheep Esports. However, the move would only happen under a specific condition related to the team's potential partnership for the next VCT season.
In short, if LYON is among the eight teams selected for the VCT Americas partnership program, valyn will join the Mexican organization. If they fail to secure a spot, however, the verbal agreement between the player and the organization will fall through, leaving valyn free to join another team next year. The organization is aiming to build a roster centered around Latin American talent to foster the regional ecosystem, with valyn taking the reins as the team's veteran IGL.
The end of the road with G2
The American player, who is set to compete at Champions in a few days and whose contract expires at the end of the season, became free to explore his options after G2 decided to make its changes before the end of the season. The team, which has won multiple VCT Americas titles in recent years, decided to sign Eduardo "Sato" Nagahama and Francisco "kiNng" Aravena in the role currently occupied by valyn.
At the heart of the project over the past few years, valyn has won four regional titles with G2 Esports, including a three-peat in 2025. Despite failing to secure an international title, which the organization has always sought, the team reached the Masters Bangkok final in 2025, where they lost 3-2 to T1. He won the VCT Americas Controller of the Year award for two consecutive years, as well as IGL of the Year in 2024. He was also named Grand Finals MVP of Stage 2 in 2025.
LYON, a possible new contender
Previously little known to the wider VALORANT audience, LYON competed in VCL Latin America North this season and notably won Stage 1. The team's subsequent results were not enough to qualify for the VCT Americas Stage 2 Play-Ins, however. If they gain access to the VCT, the organization could become the first Mexican team to join the partnership program.
The organization made a notable entrance into
League of Legends this season, winning the LCS twice and competing at international events. It could now take another step forward in
VALORANT by joining the region's top league. By convincing a player like valyn to join, the organization has already signaled its ambitions for the upcoming season.
