EDG ZmjjKK ahead of Masters Santiago: "I like to be underestimated"

Masters Santiago media day: players share their mindset, expectations, and title ambitions

ZmjjKK during the press conference at Masters Santiago. Credit: Yicun Liu/Riot Games

EDG ZmjjKK: "Marteen is a pretty good player and mechanically strong, and I think it's gonna be a very amazing match up against Gentle Mates tomorrow."

The day before the start of the VALORANT Champions Tour Masters Santiago, Gentle Mates, Edward Gaming, and BBL Esports took time out of their schedules to attend a pre-tournament press conference and answer questions from the media. From the Gentle Mates qualification to the expectations of the former world champions, here is a transcript of the players' answers.

Questions for Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang

During this Kickoff, Martin “Marteen” Pátek broke the VCT best-of-5 kill record that you set as the 2024 Seoul Champions. Although he is present here, you will still face Gentle Mates led by him in the first round. So what would you like to say to them?

Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang: “I've been asked this question so many times, and I think all these things are pretty good and the record is made to be broken, but I think maybe there's a little difference between the record of the global stage and the domestic stage. So I think Marteen is a pretty good player and mechanically strong, and I think it's going to be a very amazing matchup against Gentle Mates.

What's the mindset of the team for this first event of the year?

ZmjjKK: I think in our whole team, we are pretty confident right now. And for me individually, I'm in good form because I like to be underestimated. And then I can give a surprise to all the audience members. And for the target of this year, it's very simple. Since we are already here, we are in Master Santiago. So all the team here is for the Champions trophy.”

Question for Patryk "starxo" Kopczynski and Patrik "Minny" Hušek

What does it mean to reach this level as an In-Game Leader this time, and how does going against EDG, another champion-winning team, feel in that regard for kicking off your Masters run?

Patryk "starxo" Kopczynski: “It's good, obviously, you know, to be back. For a long time, I've still been dreaming about this. I kind of forgot about the past because it's been a long time. I believe you should live in the present, and the past is just memories, you know. I'm coming here to gain a new experience as an IGL and captain. I don't have much experience.

Also, it showed up in our last matches that I think I was the reason that we struggled that much, you know, and I think this will not happen anymore, you know. Obviously, it's an international stage, but in my opinion, I gained enough experience to lead the team throughout this tournament. I'm just happy to be here, you know, enjoying every moment. I love my boys. I'm just going to prove that.”

Now you've turned that around with a new team in Gentle Mates. So how does it feel to have kind of changed the narrative for yourself and the team of Gentle Mates coming to Santiago?

Patrik "Minny" Hušek: “I mean, the team is completely new, you know; now I'm not the IGL anymore. Now I have started to help him with it, like he's an amazing leader, and that's why we can close the game. So I completely forgot about last year. I just focus on the future, focus on this moment now, and I'm enjoying finally not losing the comebacks though.”

starxo and Minny during the press conference at Masters Santiago. Credit: Yicun Liu/Riot Games

How much has this qualification meant, not only for yourselves, but also for this organization, that's been trying to get to this position for roughly around three years?

starxo: “It feels amazing. First of all, the organization’s support has been amazing since the start of the roster. Obviously, the results were really good. The organization really helped us to make us comfortable, know, Squeezie (Lucas Hauchard), on his own, say that he'll help us, and get us business class. So obviously it's just an amazing experience as well for us to fly and just enjoy it, you Most important for us is to enjoy, be like family. So it’s just amazing. The support of the fans is also beautiful. We're really proud to represent Gentle Mates, especially on the international stage for the first time in VALORANT.”

Minny: “He said everything. It's amazing to play for Gentle Mates, like to be able to fly business for international events like this. It makes the preparation and the rest during the travel so much better than if you were to fly economy. So we all believe that. We're feeling much better because of it, and the performance can also be better.”

Question for Eren "Rosé" Erzan

Your team went from playing Premier to being qualified for a Masters. What's your state of mind at the moment? And if you can choose one team to face, which one would it be?

Eren "Rosé" Erzan: “It feels amazing to come from Premier, be honest, for Masters Santiago. I cannot describe it with words, I guess like with these boys, Lar0k (Yusuf Kaan Kanber) and Loita (Utku Kart) first, and after Crewen (Ali Eren Sargin) and lovers rock (Umut Pekdoğan). And if I wanna face one team, who will it be? I think for finals, I wanna face T1, because I like their game style and that's why.”