G2 Gozen, once a powerhouse in the VALORANT Game Changers circuit, has announced the exit of Mathilde ‘Nelo’ Beltoise a move that fans saw coming, but not this soon. After months of performance struggles and role reshuffles, the team has made yet another drastic decision to regain control of its spiraling season.
This roster change marks a pivotal moment in G2 Gozen’s journey. Formed in 2021, the team quickly rose to international prominence by steamrolling through regional tournaments and clinching the very first Game Changers Championship in 2022. At their peak, they were feared across EMEA and admired worldwide. But in esports, legacy only carries you so far.
Since their championship triumph, cracks have been forming. G2 Gozen settled for third place in both the 2023 and 2024 Game Changers Championships, and the team’s invincibility began to fade. Now, in 2025, G2 is facing its most difficult season yet, with early exits, mounting pressure, and stiff competition threatening their reputation.
Nelo was brought in at the start of 2025, following the departure of Eda ‘rezq’ Akçocuk. Her arrival was seen as a fresh start. With past stints at Karmine Corp GC and GangsterzZ, she had both the experience and grit to help G2 reclaim dominance. But even with Nelo in the lineup, the team couldn’t shake off its slump.
After a third-place finish in Stage 1 of the Game Changers EMEA season, G2 scrambled to rework its roster. In a bold move, they benched longtime veteran Petra Stoker and brought in Esllene ‘Akita’ Xu as the new duelist. Nelo’s role was shifted, chemistry was tested, and fans were left confused. Stage 2 brought more disappointment, and G2 had no choice but to walk it all back restoring Petra to the main roster and leaving Nelo inactive.
Now, G2 Gozen has officially released her, ending what was a brief and turbulent chapter for the French pro. In her farewell message, Nelo remained graceful:
“Short but intense. Great memories with the team. Returning to our roots is important.”
Behind her words lies the truth G2 is desperate to recapture the essence of what once made them great. But the question remains: is the problem with the players, or the system itself?
G2 Gozen is now preparing for their last shot at redemption in Game Changers EMEA Stage 3, which begins in October. Expectations are sky-high, but confidence is shaky. They must prove that the glory days are not behind them that this team still has fire, still has synergy, and still belongs at the top.
But one thing is for sure: if they fall short again, this might be the final nail in the coffin for the G2 Gozen dynasty as we know it.
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