The grand final of VALORANT Masters London concluded on June 21, 2026, with Leviatán securing a 3-2 victory over Pacific representatives Paper Rex. The five-map thriller ended on Lotus, marking the first time a Latin American team has claimed a Masters trophy. The victory is particularly notable because Leviatán achieved it with a roster featuring four rookies who had never played on an international stage prior to this tournament. Led by veteran in-game leader Francisco “kiNgg” Aravena, the squad finished the event with an average age of 20 years and 5 days, making them the youngest roster to ever win a global VALORANT championship.
The victory comes less than three months after another rookie-led squad, Nongshim RedForce, claimed the title at Masters Santiago. This consecutive success by younger lineups indicates a clear shift in the competitive hierarchy, where established veterans are facing intense competition from emerging talent. While Paper Rex entered the grand final as the event favorites with a long-standing core of experienced players, they were unable to halt the lower-bracket run that Leviatán built throughout the tournament.
Leviatán Battle Through the Lower Bracket
Leviatán reached the grand final by executing a complete lower-bracket run, a feat previously accomplished by only a few organizations, including FunPlus Phoenix and Fnatic. To secure their spot in the final, the team had to win 4 consecutive matches with minimal rest. This intense schedule helped the young players build resilience, which became apparent during the opening map of the grand final. On Fracture, Paper Rex secured a one-sided 13-2 victory, putting early pressure on the Americas representatives. Rather than faltering, Leviatán responded on the second map, Split, taking a 13-6 victory to tie the series.
According to kiNgg, the experience gained during their 4 consecutive lower-bracket wins helped the team maintain their composure. In an interview, he noted that the team treated the grand final as a long series where individual map scores did not dictate the final outcome. This mindset allowed the roster to remain calm even when Paper Rex attempted a late-map comeback on Lotus. When Paper Rex began winning consecutive rounds near the end of the final map, kiNgg kept his team focused on a round-by-round approach rather than worrying about the trophy, ensuring they did not lose focus during the final moments of the series.
The Rise of Neon and the Rookie Core
The standout player of the tournament was Bruno “Neon” Rodríguez, the youngest member of the Leviatán roster, who was named the Masters London MVP. Neon was promoted to the main roster from the Leviatán Academy program ahead of the 2026 VCT season. However, league age restrictions prevented him from participating in the majority of the Kickoff event, meaning he made his official VCT debut at 18 years of age. His performance throughout the tournament validated the organization’s decision to promote him directly into the Tier 1 competitive scene.
This strategy of integrating young academy prospects is becoming more common across the global leagues. For example, EMEA organization Team Vitality recently signed Ștefan “Sayonara” Mîtcu to reinforce their roster with fresh talent. By prioritizing young players with high individual output, organizations are finding success against established teams that rely on veteran experience. For kiNgg, who has spent nearly five years with the Leviatán organization and previously missed out on a grand final spot at Champions 2024 after a loss to Team Heretics, this victory represents a career-defining achievement alongside a completely new generation of players.
The Future of VCT in 2026
The success of Leviatán at Masters London and Nongshim RedForce at Masters Santiago suggests that the competitive meta is heavily favoring rosters that can adapt quickly under pressure. The next stage of the VCT season will test whether these young rosters can maintain their form as other teams begin analyzing their play styles. With regional leagues resuming shortly, the competition for spots at the year-end Champions tournament will intensify.
Who Won the Masters London MVP Award?
Bruno “Neon” Rodríguez won the Masters London MVP award following his exceptional performance throughout the tournament. The 18-year-old duelist, who was promoted from the Leviatán Academy, proved to be the decisive factor in the grand final, helping his team secure the title in their first international appearance.
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