Unfortunately, the two-time TI champs from the CIS region will open the 2026 Dota 2 season without their trusted midlaner.
Team Spirit announced on Sunday that their midlaner, Denis "Larl" Sigitov, will take a six-week break from the professional Dota 2 scene, prompting the TI-winning team to field a replacement player for three upcoming tier-one tournaments in February 2026.
The team did not disclose any further details about Larl’s short hiatus, stating only that he will miss several weeks due to “personal reasons.” Although Larl’s rest will only last less than 2 months, the team will have to participate in Fissure Universe, BLAST Slam Season VI, and DreamLeague Season 28 without him.
In the meantime, Yellow Submarine midlaner Marat "Mirele" Gazetdinov will take the position 2 role for Team Spirit during Larl’s absence.
Where is Larl? Why the Russian midlaner is not playing
Larl, a Russian midlaner, took over Team Spirit’s position 2 spot after Alexander "TORONTOTOKYO" Khertek left the team in 2022. Since then, he has been a key factor in Team Spirit’s successes, contributing heavily to their victories at DreamLeague Season 25 and the Esports World Cup 2025.
He also played a major role in the team’s final tournaments of 2025, helping secure second-place finishes at both PGL Wallachia Season 6 and DreamLeague Season 27.
The undisclosed reason for Larl’s temporary absence is likely Team Spirit’s way of respecting his privacy, giving him time to rest and prepare for the upcoming tournaments in 2026.
It’s worth noting that Larl also missed a tier-one event in August 2025, the Fissure Universe: Episode 6, after undergoing surgery following the Esports World Cup, which led to complications. During this period, Mirele also stepped in to fill Larl’s role while he took time to recover.
How long will Larl be absent from Team Spirit?
Following Team Spirit’s announcement on January 12, 2026, Larl’s break is set to last six weeks, which means the Russian midlaner is expected to return to the roster around February 15-16.
Despite Larl’s absence, Team Spirit is expected to remain one of the top contenders in their upcoming competitions, thanks to Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk and Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov, widely regarded as two of the best carry and offlane players in the world, respectively. Team Spirit’s stand-in midlaner isn’t a pushover either, since Mirele already saw action with Team Spirit before, reaching second place at the Fissure Universe: Episode 6.
Team Spirit has a history of dominating tournaments, often steamrolling through the playoffs with an impressive series of win streaks. If you believe they can continue their strong performances in upcoming competitions, you can put your confidence to the test by betting on them at the most reputable esports betting sites.
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