molodoy: " In the past, I would do things without saying, now if I want to do something I'll always say it"
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when FalleN announced he would retire at the end of the year at IEM Rio, but for molodoy, those tears meant much more.
He describes FalleN as a “second father”, the man who bestowed the AWP upon him, and who brought him into a tier one environment where he has already done so much damage.
At BLAST rivals Fort Worth, we spoke to molodoy about his reaction to the announcement, the future of FURIA, and how he is changing his playstyle to try and help FalleN win more trophies before he calls time on his legendary career.
“We’re thinking about next year”
At the end of last year, you lifted a few trophies, and while there's been some deep runs this year, you're yet to win an event. How are you finding the difference?
I'm just trying to improve myself and help my team. Maybe in the past I had the mind to play for myself, but now, my mind has changed to help my team as best as I can.
What are the big differences in the team now? What's preventing you from winning events?
Maybe we just lost some things in games that are mental now, and we're losing ourselves and how we need to play because of it.
What about individually? You've slowed down a lot in terms of your explosive games. Do you think that's down to individual form or people adapting to you?
Maybe, yeah, so now I'm trying to improve my game and see how I can help the team. Before, I was only looking at individual stuff in-game, but now it's about what I can do with the team to help both myself and them. It wasn't easy at first, but when you're trying to improve, it always works eventually.
Do you mean by playing more passively and supportively?
Yeah, sometimes I can play slower and without peeking, but the main thing is just doing it with the team. In the past, I would do things without saying anything, but now, if I want to do something, I'll always say it.
Do you think the team has lost confidence as a result of individual form slipping, and therefore it's just a matter of time before that confidence comes back with form?
I don't think so, not the confidence. I think people in the team can see I'm trying to do more for the team, so I need to show them that I'm happy and not sad, and that will help.
FalleN announced his retirement at IEM Rio. What were you feeling in that moment?
For me, FalleN is like a second father, so it's hard to lose him. I understand it's part of life, though. Sometimes it just happens. Now I'll just try to help him win tournaments in the last year. I will cry at the end, it isn't good for me.
How long before the announcement did you know he was going to say it?
He told me a day before that he wanted to say it there, and I was so shocked when he said it.
As a player, now that he's made the announcement, does it add more pressure for you?
I'll say no, but because it's his last year, it's not about pressure; I want him to win more trophies. We're not overthinking it, we're just enjoying it.
Do you have concerns about what FURIA will be like after FalleN?
We're thinking about next year, and we have some time to think, which is good.
Are you open to going fully international, or do you think there'll still be a Brazilian core?
I don't know, we'll see. I can't say.
