Imperial bench levi after four-month stint as Brazilian roster begins another rebuild
Imperial have officially moved levi to the bench, ending the AWPer's short four-month spell in the active lineup. The roster move follows a difficult first half of 2026, during which the Brazilian squad failed to qualify for the IEM Cologne Major and struggled to establish itself among South America's top Counter-Strike teams.
Quick Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | Imperial |
| Player | levi |
| Status | Benched |
| Joined active roster | February 2026 |
| Time on lineup | Approximately four months |
| Primary role | AWPer |
| Reason stated | Team restructuring following disappointing results |
| Possible replacement | saadzin (reported, not official) |
| Confirmation | Official announcement from Imperial, reported by HLTV |
Imperial bench levi following difficult season
Imperial struggled to build momentum throughout the first half of 2026 and ultimately missed qualification for the IEM Cologne Major.
Imperial confirmed that Guilherme "levi" Gustavo has been removed from the active lineup and transferred to the bench.
The move comes after a disappointing campaign that saw the organization fall short of expectations in regional competition and ultimately miss qualification for the IEM Cologne Major. During his time with the roster, levi averaged a 1.00 HLTV rating, but neither the player nor the team managed to build consistent momentum.
Levi originally joined Imperial in February 2026, replacing try, who departed for Passion UA earlier in the season. The signing was viewed as an attempt to stabilize the team's AWP position, but results never significantly improved.
Outside of strong finishes in two editions of the ESL Challenger League, Imperial were unable to convert regional appearances into meaningful international progress.
Updated Imperial roster
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| chelo | Active |
| VINI | Active |
| decenty | Active |
| noway | Active |
| Fifth player | TBD |
| levi | Benched |
According to HLTV, citing Dust2.br, Imperial are negotiating a loan move for saadzin, who has already appeared with the team in recent qualifiers. At the time of writing, no official signing has been announced.
Background and context
Levi joined Imperial from 9z in February 2026 to replace try, but remained with the starting lineup for only four months.
Imperial entered 2026 hoping its rebuilt lineup could become one of Brazil's leading rosters.
The organization reshaped its roster during February by adding levi and decenty, while former AWPer try departed. Expectations were relatively high because Imperial retained experienced veterans alongside younger talent.
However, the roster struggled to translate individual potential into consistent tournament results.
The biggest setback came in the race for the IEM Cologne Major, where Imperial failed to secure qualification, prompting another evaluation of the lineup.
Why this matters
This decision is important for several reasons:
Imperial continue searching for a stable long-term roster.
The Brazilian scene remains highly competitive, with several organizations rebuilding simultaneously.
Another AWP change suggests the team is still looking for the right balance between experience and firepower.
Any incoming replacement will have limited preparation time before upcoming regional events.
Roster stability has become increasingly important in South America's qualification system, making every lineup change potentially significant heading into the remainder of the 2026 season.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 2026 | levi joins Imperial, replacing try |
| Spring 2026 | Imperial compete in regional events with mixed results |
| 2026 | Team fails to qualify for the IEM Cologne Major |
| July 7, 2026 | Imperial officially bench levi |
| July 2026 | saadzin reportedly in negotiations to join on loan (not official) |
Key details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Imperial |
| Player affected | levi |
| Role | AWPer |
| Time on active roster | Approximately four months |
| HLTV Rating with Imperial | 1.00 |
| Official replacement | TBD |
| Reported target | saadzin (loan discussions) |
Impact analysis
From a competitive standpoint, Imperial are attempting another reset rather than making a minor adjustment.
Removing the primary AWPer typically affects:
defensive structure;
mid-round information gathering;
CT-side rotations;
opening duel consistency.
Whether the move improves the roster will largely depend on who fills the final position and how quickly the new lineup develops chemistry.
If saadzin ultimately joins, Imperial would add a player already familiar with recent qualifier appearances alongside the team, potentially reducing the adaptation period. However, that move remains unconfirmed.
What changes now
Imperial currently have four confirmed active players:
chelo
VINI
decenty
noway
The fifth starting position remains undecided.
Levi, meanwhile, becomes available for future opportunities unless another transfer or loan is announced.
Imperial's strongest results with levi came during the ESL Challenger League, where the team reached first and second-place finishes during separate editions.
What to watch next
Several developments are worth monitoring:
Whether Imperial officially complete the reported loan for saadzin.
The team's first tournament with its revised lineup.
Additional roster changes before the next qualification cycle.
Whether levi explores opportunities elsewhere in Brazil or internationally.
FAQ
Why did Imperial bench levi?
Imperial made the roster change after a disappointing season that included failing to qualify for the IEM Cologne Major. The organization has not provided a more detailed competitive explanation beyond announcing the move.
How long was levi on Imperial?
Approximately four months after joining the team in February 2026.
Who could replace levi?
According to Dust2.br, cited by HLTV, Imperial are negotiating a loan for saadzin. The move has not yet been officially confirmed.
Is levi leaving Imperial permanently?
No. He has been moved to the bench rather than released from the organization.
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