A Dota 2 legend bows out: Insania retires from professional play

Aydin "Insania" Sarkohi, the legendary captain, hard support, and The International champion with Team Liquid, has officially announced his retirement from professional play, closing the book on a storied career that spanned over a decade.

Insania’s decision to hang the mouse for good was announced by Team Liquid via their social media channels and confirms what many in the scene had anticipated. At 31 years, Insania was the oldest active player at The International 2025, a veteran whose career arc is one of perseverance, loyalty, and ultimate triumph.

From HoN legend to TI Champion

Insania’s journey to the top of Dota 2 began elsewhere. He first cut his teeth in the competitive scene of Heroes of Newerth (HoN), where he became the highest-earning player of all time in terms of prize money. Initially reluctant to shift to Dota 2, he eventually joined the professional scene in 2015, later than most of his peers. His career would see him represent organizations like Ninjas in Pyjamas and Alliance, but it was his move to Team Liquid in 2019 that defined his legacy.

Aydin has been the perfect representative of what we want Team Liquid to stand for. Excellence at the highest level, without ever compromising who you are or how you treat people. Forever grateful for everything you’ve given us. - Victor Goossens, founder and Co-CEO of Team Liquid

The highest highs and a memorable low

Insania’s career is a tale of two iconic TI moments. The first, at TI9 with Alliance, became one of the most infamous drafting errors in history. In a high-pressure, must-win game, he intended to ban Gyrocopter but, in a frantic misclick as the timer expired, accidentally picked the hero instead. The mistake led to a swift elimination and became a painful, defining memory.

That story found its perfect ending at TI13 in 2024. Insania, alongside his longtime HoN friends Michael "miCKe" Vu and Samuel "Boxi" Svahn, achieved the impossible dream. He lifted the Aegis of Champions with Team Liquid, completing a six-year grind and exorcising the ghosts of the past. The player once known for a costly mistake had become a TI Champion and a legend.

Leaving a legacy of excellence

Beyond the trophies, Insania leaves behind a legacy of incredible skill and consistency. He will be remembered as one of the finest support players to have ever graced the game. He retires as the ultimate Oracle master with 167 professional games on the hero and a 63.47% win rate. He is also the player with the most professional games played on Grimstroke, 97.

A favorite of fans and content creators for his thoughtful interviews, Insania had been hinting at retirement for some time, expressing a desire to focus on family and life beyond the grueling professional grind

Team Liquid’s statement honored his choice, noting they were "so honored to be the team where he chose to see out his legendary career." Insania departs not just as a champion, but as a testament to dedication, proving that loyalty and relentless perseverance can, eventually, write the most perfect ending imaginable.

Team Liquid are set to begin the new competitive season on the 9th of October, at FISSURE Universe: Episode 7, an online tournament where they received a direct invite. The organisation is expected to reveal its new roster ahead of its first match in the playoffs stage.

Team Liquid current roster

• Michael "miCKe" Vu
• Michał "Nisha" Jankowski
• ???
• Samuel "Boxi" Svahn
• ???