nitr0 to miss StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 as NRG turn to daps as stand-in
nitr0 to miss StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 as NRG turn to daps as stand-in
In a surprising turn just days ahead of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 (Nov 24 – Dec 14), NRG Esports have confirmed that their captain and in-game leader (IGL), Nick “nitr0” Cannella, will not be attending the event due to personal reasons — specifically to attend the birth of his child.
He will be replaced for the Major by head coach Damian “daps” Steele, who has been registered as the team’s substitute for the event.
What this means for NRG
The absence of nitr0 represents a significant change for NRG heading into one of the biggest tournaments of the year. As the captain and IGL, nitr0 has been a central figure in the team’s structure and strategy. His withdrawal comes after NRG booked their place at the Major as the eighth-highest ranked team in the Americas.
Replacing him with daps — who transitioned to a coaching role in March 2024 after a brief stint on the active roster — comes with caveats. While daps brings deep experience as an IGL from his playing days, his on-stage competitive time this year has been minimal: he logged only one map in 2025, posting a rating of 0.55 in a 16-14 win over BLUEJAYS in the ESL Challenger League Season 50 North America Cup.
Recent form & Major context
NRG arrive in Budapest in fairly good momentum: they captured the title at the Fragadelphia Ultra Mega Jersey 2025 tournament in November, securing their second consecutive Fragadelphia crown.
However, the Major stage represents a tougher challenge. At the preceding BLAST Austin Major 2025 they finished inside the top-27.
The Budapest Major itself features 32 teams, with NRG among the invited teams from the Americas. The event begins on November 24 with Stage 1 of the Swiss system competition.
For NRG, the immediate testing ground will be their opening match: they will face Ninjas in Pyjamas in the first round of Stage 1.
Implications and expectations
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With their IGL missing, NRG will have to adapt quickly — both tactically and mentally. Even though daps knows the roster and system intimately, the gap in competitive practice could matter when facing the world’s top teams.
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The timing of nitr0’s absence — mere days before the Major — puts additional pressure on the roster to adjust.
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For fans and analysts alike, this change raises questions about NRG’s ability to advance beyond Stage 1. Many preview articles considered their Odds for progressing as “unlikely” even before the roster disruption.
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On the human side, nitr0’s choice reflects the balance between professional commitments and personal life: attending the birth of his child will always be a priority. The esports community has expressed a mix of congratulations and sympathy for NRG’s situation.
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For NRG’s opponents, this may present an opening: a leadership shift in-event often equates to weaker early round performance in a Major context.
Final summary
NRG Esports will compete at the StarLadder Budapest Major without their captain and IGL nitr0, who is absent to attend the birth of his child. Head coach daps will step in as the stand-in substitute. Having just won Fragadelphia Ultra Mega Jersey 2025, the North American team arrives in Budapest looking to build momentum — but the late change in leadership could make their path significantly harder in a field of 32 elite teams.
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