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PSG.LGD superstar offlaner Zhang “Faith_bian” Ruida has announced his official retirement from competitive Dota 2. The player previously revealed that he intended to step back from competitive gaming after his team’s run in The International 2022, regardless of the outcome.
Faith_bian mentioned his retirement prior to and during the Dota 2 tournament and expressed his desire to begin a new phase of his life. He said he made the decision shortly after Team Spirit defeated PSG.LGD during TI10.
In his announcement, Faith_bian revealed that he would continue playing competitively until the TI11. The event would be his final effort to help the Chinese squad emerge as the winners of the prestigious Dota 2 tournament.
PSG.LGD did not have the best run during the tournament, and during the playoffs, it was apparent that the team were struggling. They won only one series out of the three they played in and were eventually eliminated after facing off against Team Aster.
The elimination earned the Chinese squad their worst placement since they started participating in The International. PSG.LGD finished their run in the tournament in a fifth-place tie with Thunder Awaken.
Faith_bian spoke about his departure and the team’s performance on Weibo and revealed that he had no regrets concerning the outcome. The player also thanked his teammates for being with him for most of his career.
“After TI10, I already decided that this was my last year competing in the pro Dota scene,” the offlaner said.
“Now, looking back through my whole career, I’m so happy to have had the unique experience to fight against every opponent with my teammates by my side.”
“I’m so grateful to have had these trustworthy teammates throughout my whole career, and I really appreciate the time that we spent together. I didn’t leave any regret about this year, and I’m so happy about it.”
“From 2014 to 2022, thanks for all your help and encouragement, thanks for your kindness and passion. I hope all of you got to know the spirit of esports through me, and I hope you guys can all enjoy the esports itself. We will definitely meet again if destined!”
The last part of his farewell statement could mean that the player may return to the Dota 2 scene like many other retired pro players. Several gamers over the years have announced their retirement from the competitive scene and made their return after a few months’ break.
The comment could also be Faith_bian’s way of appreciating his fans and teammates and wishing to see them cross paths again in the future.
The former offlaner started playing in Dota 2 in 2014 and achieved the status of a top competitor before joining PSG.LGD. He previously played for Wings Gaming and, under the team’s banner, lifted the highest trophy in Dota 2, the Aegis of Champions, in TI6.
Over the course of his Dota 2 career, the 24-year-old has amassed over $4 million to pursue whatever path he hopes to take in the future.
Faith_bian leaves the Dota 2 scene as a one-time TI Champion as well as a Major Champion. The player has participated in 1,464 professional games with 87 different heroes. Faith_bian also achieved an almost 60% win rate in those games.
Zhang “y`” Yiping played beside the offlaner in 1,455 games. This placed the long-time teammates in second place in terms of the most pro matches played as a duo.
Earlier on, Royal Never Give Up’s Lu “Somnus” Yao retired from competitive Dota 2 after his team’s run in the tournament came to a close. The Chinese lineup performed deplorably in the event after most of their lineup took ill and faced some difficulty playing.
Besides Faith_bian and Somnus, Lasse “MATUMBAMAN” Urpalainen from Team Liquid previously announced that he intended to retire after his team concludes their run this season.
Due to Faith_bian’s departure, PSG.LGD will have to find a player fitting to replace the legendary offlaner after the TI11 roster shuffle kicks off in November.
