Luken leaves 9z: Contract talks collapse as South American squad faces another roster change

9z have officially confirmed that Luca “Luken” Nadotti has departed the team after contract renewal negotiations failed, marking yet another roster shake-up for the South American CS2 lineup in early 2026.

In an official statement, 9z revealed that both sides were unable to reach an agreement that would be “sustainable for both parties,” while also acknowledging the competitive consequences of the move — particularly its effect on rankings and Major qualification chances.

9z acknowledge ranking and Major implications

The organization did not downplay the timing of the departure, stating that the situation “directly impacts our current performance, especially regarding our ranking and our path to the Major.” With Valve Regional Standings (VRS) playing a critical role in tournament invites and Major qualification, the loss of Luken further complicates an already unstable competitive period.

Third roster change in two months

Luken’s exit forces 9z into their third lineup change in roughly two months, following the recent additions of Ignacio “meyern” Meyer and Luciano “luchov” Herrera. While the new-look roster showed early promise — including a mapless run to the Cajunto Copa do Brasil title — continuity remains a major concern.

Frequent changes risk weakening long-term synergy, a factor that is increasingly important in the modern CS2 ecosystem where stability often separates contenders from fringe teams.

Current 9z lineup after Luken’s departure

As it stands, 9z’s active roster consists of:

Maximiliano “max” Gonzalez

Ignacio “meyern” Meyer

Luciano “luchov” Herrera

Matias “HUASOPEEK” Ibañez Hernandez

Coach: Bruno “BIT” Fukuda Lima

Meanwhile, Guilherme “levi” Gustavo and Lucas “urban0” Urbano remain on the bench.

Luken’s legacy with 9z

Luken’s relationship with 9z spans multiple eras. Most notably, he was part of the lineup that qualified for the PGL Major Antwerp, a historic achievement for Argentine Counter-Strike. His return to the team in early 2025 was framed as a symbolic and competitive boost, making this departure particularly impactful from both a sporting and branding perspective.

Although Luken has not yet issued a personal statement regarding this exit, in past departures he has emphasized transparency and mutual agreement, often choosing to explain his decisions directly to fans via his stream.

What’s next for 9z?

With rankings under pressure and the Major pathway at stake, 9z now face a crucial decision:

Prioritize experience to stabilize results in the short term, or

Commit to development, continuing to build a younger South American core around their recent signings.

Either way, Luken’s departure underscores a turbulent rebuilding phase — one that could define 9z’s competitive trajectory for the remainder of the season.