Team Spirit have announced that Myroslav “zont1x” Plakhotia has been moved to the bench. Taking his spot in the lineup will be Andrey “tN1r” Tatarinovich, who previously played for Heroic. The news was shared through the organization’s social media channels.
A Change Nobody Expected
The announcement came as a surprise to Spirit fans. Just weeks ago, the team was competing on the biggest stages, and no one expected such a sudden change. According to the organization, the move was made at the player’s personal request. Rumors suggest that the expiration of Myroslav’s passport may also have been a factor, complicating international travel. For Spirit, it’s a risky step: losing a consistent rifler mid-season means facing a challenge — but also a chance for renewal.
The Legacy of zont1x
Over two years in Spirit’s main roster, zont1x became a symbol of the team’s new generation. Rising from the academy ranks, he went on to lift trophies at IEM Katowice 2025, IEM Cologne 2025, and BLAST Bounty. His numbers are impressive: 405 maps, nearly 6,000 kills, and a 1.10 HLTV rating. In 2025 alone, he earned over $770,000 in prize money and played a major role in establishing Spirit as one of the world’s strongest squads. Now his story is on hold. Behind the scenes, speculation suggests he may return once personal matters are resolved — or continue his career with a new club.
- Zont1x played for Team Spirit from July 5, 2023 to September 8, 2025
- During his time with Team Spirit, he placed 5th–8th at the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, went on to win the Perfect World Shanghai Major later that year, lifted the BLAST Bounty Spring 2025 trophy in January, claimed the IEM Cologne 2025 title in August, and finished 5th–8th at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025.
- Over the course of his professional career, he has earned approximately $779,321 in prize money.
- Over the past six months, his stats include a 1.07 rating 3.0, a 1.06 K/D ratio, 74 ADR, and a 76% KAST.
tN1r Gets His Shot
Replacing him is Belarusian rifler tN1r. His most recent team was Heroic, where he spent several months before moving to inactivity earlier this summer. His career also includes stints with forZe, Websterz, and GUN5. Across more than 800 maps, he has maintained consistent stats: 78.2 ADR, 57% headshot rate, and a 1.12 HLTV rating. Now he joins a Spirit roster that aims for trophies at every event — a new challenge that will test whether he can deliver at the very highest level.
Farewell from chopper
Team Spirit’s captain Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov also shared a heartfelt message for his teammate. He wished Myroslav the very best, expressing confidence that with his deep understanding of the game and his attitude to life, zont1x will succeed no matter where he goes. At the same time, he welcomed tN1r into the squad, marking both an emotional goodbye and a warm introduction to the team’s new chapter.
Conclusion
The roster shuffle between Spirit and Heroic is another reminder of how quickly esports can change. One player steps away to handle personal matters, while another finally gets his shot. For Spirit, it marks the beginning of a new chapter that will depend on how fast tN1r adapts. For zont1x, it’s a pause that could end with a return home — or the start of a new career beyond Team Spirit.
