Why isn’t even the four-time champion LOUD doing well abroad? “I don’t know how to give that answer”, says Robo
One of the arguments previously cited as justification for Brazil’s poor campaigns was the few opportunities to compete with foreigners. In LoL, there are only two international tournaments per year, with South Korea and China being largely dominant. With the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) held in Chengdu, China, LOUD competed in the fourth international championship in a row and, even so, it did not improve and had its worst campaign in history.
— I don’t know how to give you that answer, honestly. Of our four [torneios internacionais], the first one was our best. Then, in the other three, we were unable to show our level — commented Robo, in an interview with blog.
— This was the most frustrating for me, because in training we were playing very well, we had earned the respect of several teams from major regions. This year, we managed to play on equal terms against them in training. Coming here and losing to GAM is very frustrating. I don’t know how to give you that answer, but, for me, it was very frustrating not being able to perform what we were performing in training — continued the seven-time Brazilian champion.
— If we played what we played in training and lost, I would be calmer. But, for some reason, we got here and again weren’t even able to perform what we were doing in training, and that made everything very difficult. Our whole plan, our whole strategy, everything. It was very difficult.
LOUD doesn’t repeat training performance in the game, says Robo: “I don’t know why”
Asked if the elimination of LOUD at MSI 2024 was definitive proof that Brazil will never be able to do well internationally, Robo commented:
— Never is a strong word. If I didn’t believe that we could do well, we wouldn’t even come here. We show good games, especially in training. With this team, this year in particular, we showed a lot of good training and reached a very high level in training. What frustrates me is not being able to show this to everyone, not being able to perform on stage. This is something I don’t know why. I need to stop, think, reflect and find out why.
He even admitted that the enormous pressure exerted for years on Brazilian teams due to international results can influence the players.
— If we were able to bring what we trained to the stage and play at the same level, play at the same pace, the results would be much better and Brazil would probably be able to advance to the stage. For some reason we never manage to do it.
— We get to games, especially the most decisive ones, where we’re ‘it’s either now or we’re out’, these are usually the ones in which we play worst. This pressure may affect everyone. I personally don’t mind it that much, but maybe it affects other players.
Robo believes that the LoL ecosystem could be better: “The more teams, the more chances”
— I don’t know that anymore, Riot takes care of this part. I have no idea what the criteria is, what their decision is, I think that’s up to them. I have nothing to say or add. In my opinion, as it stands, the championships, the format, the places for Brazil could be better, honestly. We have an incredible fan base, and they deserve a better result.
— In my opinion, the more teams they send, the more chances we will have. But, unfortunately, it is Riot that makes the decision, and I don’t know what they will do, if they will change, if they won’t, if they will give or take a place. I have no idea.
