Against all odds,
has survived fate itself once again. After defeating
, the Spanish juggernaut clinched the last spot at
Worlds 2026 and is now headed to the United States. Still, their job in Europe isn't done yet. With just a few hours to go before
their match against the Blue Wall, MKOI have a chance to finally write their redemption story. But are they good enough?
In an exclusive interview, toplaner
sat down with
Sheep Esports to reflect on his latest victory and his turbulent season. He also discussed the team's mindset, their return to the international stage, and the pressure that comes with being a professional player, as well as why he believes you have to be a little crazy to reach the top.
How does it feel to beat NAVI, secure Worlds, and keep your season alive after such a stressful split?
Alex "Myrwn" Pastor Villarejo: “It is for sure a relief. I think this split has been by far the most stressful we've had out of all the ones we’ve had since joining the LEC. This one was the worst one for sure, so it feels really good to make Worlds after we didn't even make our Roadtrip, which really sucked. We started so bad, and it just feels really good making Worlds, honestly. The thing everyone enjoys the most as a player is competing internationally, so yeah.
After a difficult season, do you feel like reaching the top three has redeemed it for you, and what are you aiming for now?
Myrwn: I would say it's not enough. I had a really bad year and can't be happy with only top three. So I'm aiming to win it all, honestly. I really want to win this trophy for our fans. They deserve it, especially since we didn't even go to the Roadtrip. We have to bring them a trophy home, and it will feel insane if it's in front of the French crowd.
Do you feel like MKOI is in a good spot moving forward atmosphere-wise, or are you taking things day by day and focusing on surviving?
Myrwn: It's kind of both things. I think we have a really good mindset going into every day. But it's our last chance. We have to survive; we have to play every match like it's going to be the last one. And that's how I'm focusing.
I don't know what will happen in the future. Maybe there are changes, maybe I'm not on the roster next year. Who knows what will happen. But I really don't want to end up the year having regrets. I would really hate that the roster is remembered as us being chokers, and us always throwing games. I really want to remove that narrative. I think we're doing a really great job now, honestly. I would say we’ve been really more consistent at closing games. Our level of gameplay really improved a lot. So I'm really confident for these last two matches.
Earlier in the year, you said you would make MKOI beg to re-sign you. How do you feel about that statement now and where you are as a player?
Myrwn: [Laughs] Now I'm just begging them. The opposite now. It's just life sometimes.
Do you feel like you've been able to prove your pedigree as a player, especially during these playoffs?
Myrwn: I think these playoffs, I would say yes. Way more than the rest of the year, I think I'm being a way better player overall now. Before this, I wasn't consistent at all. I had good highs. I think in the first playoffs I was playing well. And last split’s playoffs too.
But for example, in the KC series last split, I played horribly. So I think I'm not really consistent at doing it. But now at least, I think my level is way higher than the last two splits. Even if I don't perform insanely well, I think my level is way better.
How do you feel about your relationship with your career as a pro now, especially with all the pressure that comes with competing at this level, and do you feel comfortable handling everything that's going on, particularly with the added pressure of playing on stage in France in front of the French crowd?
Myrwn: I wouldn't say comfortable. I don't think it's easy to be a pro player when your career means so much. You sacrifice so many things that if it doesn't go well, it’s like the world is falling onto you. I think that's the biggest thing as a pro player. You have the pressure to perform because it's honestly the only thing you do. Competition for me is everything.
If I don't perform well, if I'm consistently playing bad, my emotions are always so negative. But being happy also doesn't only come from winning. It’s also about the process, it really makes me happy when we're improving as a team and having fun.
It's a snowball effect. If one month we're scrimming poorly, and the results aren't come, it really brings me down emotionally. Now it's the opposite. I think we have an insanely good mood. I think we're playing super well. It's really, really good.
Do you think being a pro player can become unhealthy, and that players could benefit from seeing a therapist regularly?
Myrwn: I think to be the best, you have to be unhealthy for sure. It's not only in esports. In every sport, if you want to be the best, it's unhealthy. You need to be a psychopath. This is how it is. You need to be crazy in the head if you want to be the best. You have to be the most obsessed with it. The one that puts in more hours. It's unhealthy, but that's how you have to deal with it. It's not a normal job. You have to put in 16 hours maybe every day if you want to reach the top.
How many hours do you think you've invested into the game?
Myrwn: I don't know. Honestly, no clue. I've been playing since Season 2, so I've played a lot. More than half of my life has been League of Legends. So I've played a lot. I don't know how many hours, but holy, so much.
You're facing Karmine Corp in less than 24 hours, in front of the French crowd, with Worlds already secured but still more to play for. How are you feeling about the match?
Myrwn: Super excited, honestly. I think it's going to be super exciting tomorrow. We're going to get booed maybe a million times. It's just fun, honestly. I think we enjoy being the villains here a lot. We'll make sure to have fun. I think we have a really good opportunity because we're playing really well, and I think we can beat both KC and G2.
Do you think people are underestimating you a bit?
Myrwn: 100%. We started really bad this year, and also this split, so I think that's why people don't really believe in us. But I think right now our level is really high compared to the other splits.
You're heading back to the international stage after MKOI's previous struggles internationally. How do you feel about returning to Worlds?
Myrwn: We didn't really have any good results internationally. If we don't make top two or top one, I want us to at least get out of play-in and perform well. Worlds is a really good experience, and we didn't really get to see it as a group.
I think if we perform and we play normally, honestly, we're a really good team. The only thing missing for us in international play. We just need to be calm and not lose our shit. Because I think we start really shaking in the first games, and then we start panicking. Honestly, if we're calm, it doesn't matter what happens. I think we're a really good team.
Is there a message you want to share with the MKOI fans?
Myrwn: I would say thank you all for supporting us. I know it hasn’t been an easy year, and an even worse split. I hope you guys are happy with this Worlds qualification. We will make sure we're top two tomorrow and top one the next day. Just keep cheering for us, and we'll make sure it happens.
Thank you so much for your time. I wish you a good night. You're going to need a lot of rest.
Myrwn: We need to sleep ten hours minimum after this.”
