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French esports organisation Gentle Mates is heading back into VCT EMEA with a brand new roster, revealing a full rebuild for the 2026 VALORANT season. After their unexpected return to the league, the team has wasted no time putting together a mix of proven talent and rising stars, all hoping to make the most of their second shot at top tier play.

Below is your full breakdown of the new roster, their backgrounds, and what fans can expect from Gentle Mates as they prepare for the 2026 season.

A Second Chance in VCT EMEA

Gentle Mates were initially relegated from the VCT EMEA league in 2025 after a rough Stage 2 where they failed to secure a win. However, the team was given an unexpected lifeline when KOI was removed from the partnered league, opening a spot for the French organisation to return for 2026.

With another chance to prove themselves, the organisation chose to rebuild almost entirely from scratch, keeping only Czech player Patrik “Minny” Hušek from the 2025 lineup. The rest of the roster features four new signings, all bringing different strengths and experiences to the table.

Meet the 2026 Gentle Mates Roster

Patryk “starxo” Kopczynski takes the lead

The team’s new in-game leader is a familiar name in VALORANT history. starxo famously won the first ever VALORANT Champions title in 2021 under Acend, cementing his legacy early in the game’s lifespan.

In 2023 and 2024, he spent time with KOI, and in 2025 he moved to Joblife, where he reinvented himself as an IGL and became the highest rated player of the entire Ascension tournament. While Joblife didn’t qualify for VCT, his standout performance made him an ideal centrepiece for Gentle Mates’ rebuild.

Fresh firepower and proven consistency

The only returning player, Minny, will continue as a flexible backbone for the team. Throughout 2025 he handled a variety of roles and even took on IGL duties in the second half of the season. Now he returns with stronger support around him.

Former Karmine Corp duelist Martin “marteen” Pátek brings two years of tier one experience in EMEA. KC impressed in 2024 with a Kickoff win and top eight finishes internationally, and even though they couldn’t maintain that success, marteen remains a dangerous individual threat.

Two rookies set for their Tier 1 debut

Gentle Mates have also picked up two rising stars to round out the lineup.

Taranvir “bipo” Singh is a familiar name in Europe’s tier two scene, most recently standing out with MOUZ after helping them win Split 3 of VCL DACH. His aggressive duelist style will be tested on the VCT main stage for the first time.

Conner “GLYPH” Garcia joins from the other side of the world, moving from North America to EMEA after a strong 2025 performance. With Ambrosia he reached the top level of NA Challengers, and later led Winthrop University to a top four finish at Ascension Americas. His development has been rapid, and fans are eager to see how he handles tier one competition.

The Staff Behind the Rebuild

Alongside their new roster, Gentle Mates have upgraded their coaching team. Leading them is Pavle “pakko” Kostic as head coach, supported by Jiri “KUNDIKUNDI” Honkala as assistant coach. The staff lineup also includes Sinan “Luinwess” Koyuncu, Marc “ManyFender” Kowolik as manager, and Marceau “Placido” Lambert.

With experienced leadership both in and out of the server, the organisation is clearly aiming for long term stability.

When Will They Play?

Fans won’t need to wait long to see the new roster in action. Gentle Mates will debut at the Intel Monsters Reloaded Tournament, where they’ll face FUT Esports, Fenerbahçe Esports, and CGN Esports.

This event should give us an early read on how well the new lineup meshes ahead of the official 2026 VCT EMEA season.

Full 2026 Gentle Mates VALORANT Roster

Players:

  • Patryk “starxo” Kopczynski
  • Taranvir “bipo” Singh
  • Martin “marteen” Pátek
  • Conner “GLYPH” Garcia
  • Patrik “Minny” Hušek

Staff:

  • Pavle “pakko” Kostic, Head Coach
  • Jiri “KUNDIKUNDI” Honkala, Assistant Coach
  • Marc “ManyFender” Kowolik, Manager
  • Sinan “Luinwess” Koyuncu, Staff
  • Marceau “Placido” Lambert, Staff

Gentle Mates’ 2026 rebuild blends championship-level experience with fresh, hungry talent from across EMEA and the Americas. With a proven IGL in starxo and a roster full of potential, the team’s second life in VCT EMEA could be their strongest chapter yet.