Brazilian team LOUD defeated Paper Rex 2-0 in their opening playoff match at VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai to advance to the semifinals. Following the victory, Lucca “lukxo” Travaioli spoke in an interview about his international debut, aggressive playstyle, team chemistry, and upcoming clash against NRG.
For lukxo, this is his first international tournament and his first playoff appearance. Despite feeling nervous before every match, he is happy with his performance and the opportunity to reach the semifinals in his debut.
Discussing his consistently high first-kill numbers in VCT Americas and at Champions 2026, lukxo attributed his success to his aggressive playstyle and the support of his teammates. “I’ll never stop being aggressive. That’s my playstyle,” he emphasized.
At the same time, the Brazilian player highlighted LOUD’s confidence as one of the team’s biggest strengths. Even when they trail at the end of the first half, the players believe they can turn the game around. According to lukxo, this confidence helps them win round after round once the sides switch.
LOUD’s only loss at the tournament before facing Paper Rex came against Vitality. Lukxo identified adaptability as the most important lesson from that defeat. He noted that teams need to account for EMEA representatives’ slower pace and adjust to their playstyle.
In preparation for Paper Rex, LOUD focused on refining their own approach. Lukxo admitted that the opponents’ aggression created difficulties. On Sunset, in particular, Paper Rex’s fast rotations allowed them to stack up to four players on a site, making it difficult for LOUD to execute their attacks.
Speaking about his consistent performances on Chamber, particularly with the Operator, lukxo identified discipline outside the game as a key factor. He maintains a regular sleep schedule, works out consistently, and follows stable daily routines. In his view, this consistency helps him maintain a high level of performance in-game.
Team chemistry also plays an important role. The young players spend a lot of time together, having lunch and dinner as a team and strengthening their bond. Lukxo described his teammates as good friends, almost like family. He also emphasized that the team strives not only to learn from previous matches but to apply those lessons in-game.
In the upper-bracket semifinals, LOUD will face NRG, a team they previously defeated to qualify for Champions 2026. Lukxo expects a tough matchup, as NRG are familiar with LOUD’s playstyle. He predicted that the series could go to three maps but confidently stated that he expects his team to win.
Before pursuing a professional career, lukxo dreamed of becoming a football player. At 15, he was playing VALORANT at the Radiant level and began competing in small tournaments with his friends. Eventually, he realized he had the potential to become a professional player and decided to pursue a career in esports.
Now, the Brazilian player is preparing for the first international semifinal of his career, while LOUD continue their quest for the VALORANT Champions 2026 title.
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