NQZ: “I got a little bit upset because in Melbourne [Complexity Gaming] were shouting at us; I just wanted revenge so bad”

NQZ: “I got a little bit upset because in Melbourne [Complexity Gaming] were shouting at us; I just wanted revenge so bad”

Following his team’s strong win at BLAST Rivals Season 2, paidN’s young star Lucas “nqz” Soares opened up about the drive behind their latest performance. For nqz, the match wasn’t just another victory, but part of a deeper narrative of motivation and progression.

A victory fuelled by emotion

After paiN dispatched Passion UA (2-0) to reach the semi-finals in Hong Kong, nqz revealed part of what had spurred the team on:

“I got a little bit upset because in Melbourne [Complexity] were shouting at us; I just wanted revenge so bad.”
“We played good CS, we were communicating well, using nades well, and playing the situations well.” 

The reference to Melbourne points back to an earlier encounter at IEM Melbourne 2025 where Complexity had out-performed paiN, and according to The Brazilian squad, even the crowd and opposing team’s demeanour added fuel to their fire. nqz admitted the incident stayed with him and became a personal spur: he wasn’t just playing for a win—he was playing for redemption.

Growth and stage-presence

nqz also stressed the broader importance of experience:

“It’s a process where every match teaches you something… so right now we are a little bit more prepared to handle those matches. I [don’t] think anyone is feeling the amount of pressure that we used to feel in the first arena, so we are evolving with baby steps.” 

This acknowledgement of growth is significant. paiN hadn’t secured a major playoff series victory in some time. The win over Passion UA became not simply a match win, but a marker of progress—one where they handled pressure, capitalised on opponent mistakes, and advanced into the semis with confidence.

Tactical edge and opponent errors

When breaking down the actual match mechanics, nqz pointed to execution and opponent faults:

“Being honest… no. We expected… I’m not going to say way more, but I think… they committed so many mistakes and we could punish all of them.” 

The opponent’s mistakes played directly into paiN’s hands—this level of discipline and read-play has often been cited by analysts as a hallmark of teams moving from contender status to genuine threat. For paiN, the match became a convergence of internal readiness and external opportunity.

Looking ahead: the Brazilian showdowns

With the victory secured, paiN must now face the next challenge: a potential showdown with FURIA, widely regarded as Brazil’s top team and a global heavyweight. nqz’s words underline the intensity of domestic rivalry:

“FURIA is living a wonderful moment right now … they are for sure the top-one team in Brazil and also the world, in my opinion.” 

Beyond national bragging rights, this clash represents a stepping stone for paiN on their path toward global contention. For nqz and his squad, beating FURIA would validate their growth and signal a real shift in regional power.

Why the comments matter

nqz’s candid remarks serve multiple purposes:

• They show emotional honesty, illustrating that the player is motivated by both internal and external factors.

• They reveal a psychological edge—revenge-driven motivation often translates into higher focus under pressure.

• They highlight experience as a differentiator; paiN’s ability to convert pressure moments into results is improving.

Final thoughts

The quote from nqz isn’t a throwaway line—it gives context to a team’s narrative. For paiN, the match wasn’t just about advancement: it was about growth, settling scores, and stepping into a more mature chapter of competition. n o longer simply participants, they are positioning themselves as true contenders.

As they move forward in the tournament and beyond into the season, the lessons from Melbourne, the execution in Hong Kong, and the upcoming battles in Brazil will define paiN’s trajectory—and for nqz, that hunger for revenge may well be the spark that drives them forward.