Red Canids’ “Drop”: “We know we did a great job” — Brave Budapest Major Run Ends With Heads Held High

Red Canids’ “Drop”: “We know we did a great job” — Brave Budapest Major Run Ends With Heads Held High

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Overview

RED Canids — widely underestimated heading into the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 — managed to turn heads with a strong showing. On the first day they shocked GamerLegion, then pushed fnatic to a close finish before bowing out after a dramatic elimination match against FaZe, managing to claim map one and even hitting five match-points on Nuke. 

Though their run ended with a 1–2 loss to FaZe, many believe that RED Canids exceeded expectations — performance wise and in terms of composure under pressure. 

“Inside the team, we know we did a great job” — drop’s Reflections

Team IGL André "drop" Abreu spoke after their exit, admitting RED Canids had doubts before arriving in Budapest: they had struggled during their Brazilian events, suffering losses they felt they “shouldn’t have.” But the Major changed the narrative. 

“We were playing in Brazil and we were not feeling comfortable there, we were losing to some teams that we shouldn't.”
“Then we came here, and we're like, ‘oh, we're not beating them, now we're coming to the Major, what can we expect?’ Inside the team, we know we did a great job.” 

drop admitted that although closing out high-stakes games — like those against fnatic or FaZe — proved difficult, the experience was very positive for the squad’s growth. 

He emphasized the emotional rollercoaster of the tournament: despite nerves (especially for first-major players like venomzera), the team found moments of confidence, joy, and unity during matches. 

Moreover, drop reflected on his own journey: from academy, to Major appearances, to stepping down a tier to rebuild and regain happiness — and now seeing progress, cohesion and hope with RED Canids. 

What Went Right for RED Canids

• Surprise upset vs GamerLegion — The win on day one set the tone and proved the team could handle big moments.

• Competitive vs Top Teams — That tight loss to fnatic and a powerful fight against FaZe showed real composure.

• Mental Reset & Confidence Boost — After a rough period competing in Brazil, the Major acted as a reset, restoring self-belief inside the squad.

• Development Opportunity — For several players (including first-Major stars like venomzera), the event provided invaluable experience under pressure.

What Still Needs Work

• Closing out key games — as drop noted, the team lacked experience in finishing off winnable matches, which cost them against fnatic and FaZe.

• Consistency — one strong tournament may not be enough; sustaining this level against top-tier teams will be essential to avoid being seen as just “giant-killers.”

• Mental composure under major pressure — while moments of confidence appeared, nerves still played a role, especially for newcomers.

What This Means Going Forward

Although RED Canids are out of the Major, their performance earns them respect — not only from fans but likely from other professional teams and organizations. As drop put it: sometimes success is not about trophies, but proof that even underdogs can fight with heart. Red Canids now have a clearer identity: a developing roster willing to grind, learn, and build toward future successes. Their next matches — and whether they can convert close games into wins — will show if this Major was just a flash or the start of something bigger.