Clement “Puppey” Ivanov has left Team Secret and returned to Navi for Dota 2 esports after 10 years away.
Dota 2, alongside League of Legends and Counter-Strike, form the trinity of modern esports. From The International’s debut in 2011, Dota 2 esports remains one of the most exciting in the industry, attracting millions of viewers every year. With over a decade of history, legends inevitably form among its players.
One such legend is Puppey, a Dota 2 esports veteran. He debuted for the legendary esports team Natus Vincere alongside other icons like Danil “Dendi” Ishutin and Ivan “Artstyle” Antonov. However, Puppey was the first to leave Natus Vincere and eventually formed Team Secret.
Now, the prodigal son returns to Navi for the first time in ten years.
NAVI has confirmed Puppey will stand in for Arman “Malady” Orazbayev for the next few tournaments, and reports suggest it’s because Puppey wants to win.
As for how fans found out about the controversial roster change, the official FACEIT page for Navi revealed Puppey as part of the team’s active roster. The news excited fans, especially among speculations that Puppey was retiring.
In August 2024, Puppey reaffirmed his commitment to Dota 2 esports, declaring he still wants to win. Once the roster change is confirmed, it would imply Puppey thinks their chances of victory rise much higher with the help of Navi’s current roster. Notably, Puppey has not won The International since 2011, though he got close in 2021 and 2022.
Meanwhile, Navi has struggled to recapture the magic of its first batch of esports players. While still a highly accomplished team in its own right, management troubles, and internal issues caused the team to lose its legendary luster. Eventually, the team even cut Dendi, who now plays for B8 Esports. Unfortunately, B8 did not reach the heights that Puppey’s Team Secret has.
Fan reactions to Puppey’s move have fans hopeful of a Navi reunion for one last ride. Many started wishfully suggesting that Dendi, Artstyle, and Oleksandr “XBOCT” Dashkevych return to Navi’s active roster. Whatever the case, Puppey’s next esports season is bound to be captivating for longtime Dota 2 fans.
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