Team Profile: FURIA Academy

FURIA Academy, the youth squad of FURIA Esports, is the only non-European team participating in WePlay Academy League. While the Brazilian youngsters certainly had a few impressive showings throughout the event, they sadly finished in last place. Despite this, we've compiled another team profile to allow the community to get to know the team a little bit better. 

The players

Leonardo "zmb" Toledo

• Age: 22

• Place of residence: Brazil

• CS:GO Experience: Started playing Counter-Strike when he was 5 years old with his father.

• Role: IGL & AWPer

• Current goal: Win WePlay Academy League and eventually win a Major.

• Favorite teams: Natus Vincere and Gambit Esports.

• Main source of inspiration: zmb really likes watching Kirill "Boombl4" Mikhailov because he relates to his playstyle. They both play old school positions, are very aggressive and take a lot of space in the server.

• Advice for his younger self: Be patient, have more trust in yourself, and just keep practicing.

Career

First important tournament: CLUTCH Season 2 with Alma Gaming was zmb’s biggest tournament. 

How he joined the team: zmb performed well during CLUTCH Season 2, which led to him being scouted out by FURIA.

What he got from joining FURIA Academy: zmb loves the FURIA organization because he feels like they can do anything for him.

First impression of the team: He feels like FURIA Academy was very structured.

Expectations of WAL: Having been on FURIA Academy for over a year, zmb is looking forward to trying out everything he’s learned against the EU and CIS teams.

André "drop" Abreu

• Age: 17

• Place of residence: Brazil

• Role: Trade fragger

• Main achievements: Winning RedZone Pro League Season 3

Career

First important tournament: ESL Brasil Premier League Season 11

Icaro "ninjaZ" Cavalari

• Age: 18

• Place of residence: Brazil

• Role: Entry fragger

• Current goal: Win WePlay Academy League.

• Main source of inspiration: ninjaZ looks up to Yuri "yuurih" Santos and Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis for their aggressive playstyles. 

• Advice for his younger self: Keep doing what you're doing, believe in yourself.

Career

First important tournament: ninjaZ attended a local Brazilian LAN in 2017 with some of his friends.

How he joined the team: The team’s coach, Leonardo "msr" Caixeta, approached ninjaZ and asked him if he’d be interested in joining the project. 

What he got from joining FURIA Academy: ninjaZ feels a lot more confident since joining FURIA Academy and he enjoys working with the main team, as they help them discover their style.

First impression of the team: His initial impression of his team wasn’t good, but over time, ninjaZ learned more about his teammates and feels like this is the most skilled lineup he’s been a part of. 

Expectations of WAL: Gain experience versus European and CIS teams who are better at punishing aggressive plays.

Lucas "decenty" Bacelar

• Age: 17

• Place of residence: Brazil

• Role: Trade fragger

• Main achievements: Winning RedZone Pro League Season 3

Career

First important tournament: Gamers Club Liga Profissional: July 2020

Guilherme "piriaz1n" Barbosa

• Age: 18

• Place of residence: Brazil

• Role: Lurker

• Main achievements: Winning Gamers Club Masters VI and DreamHack Open March 2021: South America with DETONA Gaming and Imperial Esports, respectively.

Career

First important tournament: Aorus League 2019 Brazil Season 3

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