Insania Announces Dota 2 Retirement
Team Liquidâs Aydin âInsaniaâ Sarkohi has announced his retirement from professional Dota 2 after a successful career with multiple championship wins, including a victory at The International.
The 31-year-oldâs final appearance came at The International 2025, where he and Team Liquid failed to qualify for the playoffs, marking a bittersweet ending to his storied career.
After 6 unforgettable years with Team Liquid, @insan1a is retiring from professional Dota 2.
His story comes full circle after lifting the Aegis at TI 2024, a moment that will always be a defining part of our teamâs history. Weâre so honored to be the team where he chose to⊠pic.twitter.com/41R8qKGPqW
â Team Liquid Dota (@teamliquiddota) October 7, 2025
Insaniaâs Dota 2 Career
Insania was a former professional Heroes of Newerth player before transitioning fully to Dota 2 in 2015. He joined Alliance in 2017, before getting picked up by Team Liquid in 2019 as the teamâs captain.
Under his leadership, the team gradually improved, eventually becoming a staple at every major event. Team Liquid would always make deep runs at Tier 1 events, more often than not settling for second place.
Eventually, Team Liquid broke their long-standing âsecond-place curseâ at the best possible time by winning The International 2024, making Insania a TI winner.
After competing for almost a decade, Insania has raked in over $2 million in approximate total winnings. His top achievements include:
1st at ESL One Germany 2020
3rd at The International 2022
2nd at Riyadh Masters 2023
2nd at Riyadh Masters 2024
1st at The International 2024
1st at PGL Wallachia Season 3
1st at PGL Wallachia Season 4
Of course, Insaniaâs career wasnât without its lighter moments. He became a meme for accidentally picking Gyrocopter instead of banning him in an Elimination Match at The International, due to the draft reserved time running out.
The End of the Swedish Trio
Insania stepping down from the team means Dota 2âs longest-running trio has finally come to an end. In November 2017, he joined Alliance alongside Michael âmiCKeâ Vu and Samuel âBoxiâ Svahn.
Since then, the trio has stuck together through countless roster changes and heartbreaking losses. Their perseverance paid off when they lifted the Aegis together in 2024.
Today, miCKe and Boxi are recognized as two of the best players in the world in their respective roles, but their journey to the top wouldnât have been possible without Insaniaâs contributions.
Whatâs Next for Insania?
While Insania hasnât announced his next steps yet, most Dota veterans who retire still try to stay within the scene. Many move into casting, coaching, or analysis, and Insania seems destined for one of these roles. Heâs had a history of casting, including pairing up with ODPixel to commentate on the Grand Final of The International 2021.
If he doesnât transition into broadcasting, it wouldnât be too surprising to see him look into a coaching role, either with Team Liquid or somewhere else, given his experience and understanding of drafting.
