paiN Reportedly Sign piriajr After ewjerkz Talks Collapse Ahead of 2026 Season

paiN Gaming are set to finalize the signing of Guilherme Barbosa (piriajr) following unsuccessful negotiations with Michel Pinto (ewjerkz), according to a report from Dust2.com.br, relayed by HLTV.

The Brazilian organization had been actively rebuilding their roster after a turbulent second half of 2025, but plans to bring in ewjerkz collapsed despite Ninjas in Pyjamas being open to releasing the Portuguese rifler. As a result, paiN shifted focus to a domestic option to complete their lineup in time for the 2026 season.

paiN’s Roster Rebuild Continues

paiN entered the off-season needing multiple changes after benching Franco Garcia (dgt) and David Tapia Maldonado (dav1deuS) in December. The moves followed inconsistent results and early exits in key tournaments, prompting management to re-evaluate the team’s direction.

Initial reports suggested paiN were in advanced talks with Vinicius Moreira (vsm) and ewjerkz. While vsm is still expected to join the roster, negotiations with ewjerkz ultimately fell through, forcing the organization to pivot.

Why piriajr?

piriajr, who has been playing for Bounty Hunters, is an experienced rifler within the Brazilian scene. According to HLTV’s statistics database, he has played more than 900 recorded maps with an overall Rating 2.0 of around 1.14, making him a reliable and battle-tested option rather than a developmental gamble.

For paiN, the move prioritizes stability and immediate availability over international integration risks, especially after missing out on their first-choice target.

The ewjerkz Deal That Didn’t Happen

The failed transfer is notable because NiP were reportedly willing to let ewjerkz leave. Earlier reports had indicated that the Portuguese player was nearing the end of his tenure as a starter, but final terms with paiN could not be agreed upon.

This leaves ewjerkz’s future uncertain while paiN move forward with a completed roster plan.

Leadership Perspective: paiN Know the Standard Is Higher

paiN’s in-game leader Rodrigo Bittencourt (biguzera) has previously spoken openly about the team’s shortcomings in 2025, emphasizing that internal expectations go beyond simply qualifying for events.

“We’re always hoping that we’ll make it to more semi-finals, that we can reach finals.”

Reflecting on their Major exit, he added:

“I think we didn’t deserve to go through. We had some very bad games and made some very silly mistakes that we’ve been making all year.”

Despite the criticism, biguzera also noted that the season wasn’t a complete failure, framing 2026 as an opportunity to correct long-standing issues rather than start from scratch.

What This Means for the 2026 CS2 Season

With piriajr reportedly joining and vsm still expected, paiN are opting for a controlled rebuild instead of a high-risk overhaul. The organization aims to return to consistent playoff appearances and deeper tournament runs, goals that have eluded them during parts of 2025.

For piriajr, this move represents the biggest opportunity of his career so far — stepping into one of Brazil’s most recognizable organizations with clear expectations and immediate pressure.