Brazilian side Gaimin Gladiators are set to employ Fernando "fer" Alvarenga for their upcoming IEM Cologne Major campaign, according to a report from Dust2.com.br .
Dust2.com.br stated that fer , who has been registered as a substitute on Gaimin Gladiators ' Major lineup, would be taking the place of João "felps" Vasconcellos at the Valve-sponsored event. felps , being a member of the five-man unit at the time of the invitation deadline, would still receive stickers despite not participating in the Major itself. Dust2.com.br further clarified that the move appears to be at the organization's behest.
This move would mark fer 's return to serious competition after three and a half years away from actively competing. The 34-year-old rifler's last official was in 2024, competing with O PLANO in the PGL Copenhagen Major South America RMR Open Qualifier, but he last plied his trade at a top event in 2022, bowing out of the IEM Rio Major in last place with Imperial .
Gaimin Gladiators , who qualified for the Major after competing in a handful of local LANs in Europe and Brazil, will begin their Cologne run in Stage 1, beginning June 2.
If this move comes to fruition, Gaimin Gladiators would play the Major with:
Jhonatan "JOTA" Willian Gabriel "NEKIZ" Schenato Henrique "HEN1" Teles Luca "Luken" Nadotti Fernando "fer" Alvarenga
João "horvy" Horvath (coach)