LGD Gaming has signed two-time The International champion Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen as its new mid laner for Dota 2 TI 2026, replacing Santiago “TaiLung” Agüero Gustavo after the latter was banned from the tournament over a competitive integrity issue.
LGD announced Topson’s signing on Aug. 10, just days before TI 2026 gets underway in Shanghai, China. The Chinese organization now has a veteran mid laner for this year’s Dota 2 world championship, who is joining a South American core that finished in the top six last year.
We are excited to announce that @TopsonDota has officially joined LGD Dota 2.
— LGD Gaming (@LGDgaming) August 9, 2026
As one of the world’s top mid laners, Topson brings elite mechanics, a creative playstyle, and extensive international experience.
Welcome to LGD, Topson！#lgdgaming #dota2 pic.twitter.com/qBClH0bgtT
LGD roster for Dota 2 TI 2026
- Yuma “Yuma” Langlet – Carry
- Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen – Mid laner
- Adrián “Wisper” Dobles – Offlaner
- Thiago “Thiolicor” de Oliveira Cordeiro – Soft support
- Matheus “KJ” Santos Jungles Diniz – Hard support/Captain
Topson returns to professional Dota 2 after nearly two years away from competitive play. The 28-year-old Finnish mid laner last competed at The International 2024 with Tundra Esports, where he helped the team finish third in the tournament.
Before joining Tundra, Topson established himself as one of the most successful players in Dota 2 history with OG, winning back-to-back Aegis of Champions in 2018 and 2019. His unconventional hero picks and builds (talk about that mid Gyro with Diffusal Blade in TI9) as well as his uncanny playstyle made him one of the most recognizable mid laners in the scene.
Following TI 2024, Topson announced his retirement from competitive Dota, citing family reasons and plans to complete mandatory military service in Finland. With his move to LGD, Topson will now have a shot at an unprecedented third TI title, this time representing the organization he and OG famously defeated in the grand final of TI 2018.
Topson joins the South America-based LGD squad built around the ex-HEROIC core of Yuma, Wisper, and KJ that finished top six in last year’s TI, the highest placement by a South American team in the premier tournament. LGD dominated the TI 2026 SA Qualifier after a runner-up finish at BLAST Slam VII. The team, however, had middling performances at the Esports World Cup and 1win Essence II, the last two tier-1 tournaments before TI.
Topson’s arrival comes after LGD was forced to find a replacement for TaiLung shortly before TI 2026. A day prior, LGD revealed that it had learned of information concerning a potential competitive integrity violation involving TaiLung. The org subsequently launched an internal review and reported the matter to the relevant tournament organizers.
Following an investigation, officials ruled that TaiLung would not be allowed to compete at TI 2026. PGL also permanently barred the 17-year-old prodigy from all of its events.
LGD did not reveal the specific action or behavior that resulted in the punishment. The org said it respects the decision and would complete the necessary procedures in accordance with tournament rules.
TaiLung has broken his silence on the issue through an Instagram story, saying that his “silence does not constitute an admission” of any accusations.
TAILUNG: "MI SILENCIO NO CONSTITUYE UNA ADMISIÓN, ACEPTACIÓN NI RECONOCIMIENTO DE NINGUNA DE LAS ACUSACIONES (…)"
— Pancho Justo 🖊 (@justopancho) August 9, 2026
A través de su cuenta de Instagram, Tailung emitió un comunicado indicando que no acepta las acusaciones en su contra y que tomará las acciones correspondientes… pic.twitter.com/fYpz0gMl3H
“My silence does not constitute an admission, acceptance, or acknowledgment of any of the accusations, claims, or speculations that have been circulating,” TaiLung wrote.
“I am waiting to address this situation with my lawyer and will handle any related matters through the appropriate channels,” he added.
