Dendi denies retirement rumors

The immediate future of Danil “Dendi” Ishutin is not yet clear, but one thing is certain: He isn’t done with Dota 2.

The fan favorite took to Twitter on Tuesday and gave fans a brief update on his status, saying, “Guys I am not retiring from dota. Looking for team/players. Thanks for warm words.”

https://twitter.com/dendiboss/status/1036594077536530432?s=21

For the last eight years, Dendi has been the poster boy for Natus Vincere’s Dota 2 team. While the first half of that stretch included a number of major tournament victories and three grand finals berths at The International, the second half has seen the team steadily decline while struggling to retain a stable roster.

The divorce came earlier this month with Na`Vi announcing a new roster without their veteran mid laner. Though it was initially unclear if this meant Dendi was retiring or transitioning into another role, his clarification means that a return is likely.

While Dendi would like to return, it is unclear where he will land. There is no shortage of potential destinations ranging from his reuniting with longtime captain Clement “Puppey” Ivanov for Team Secret to partnering with an established organization looking for some reliable star power.

The clock is ticking when it comes to finding a new team. Though his popularity within the Dota 2 sphere calls for a blockbuster deal with an established brand, the 2018-2019 Dota Pro Circuit season kicks off in just two weeks with the qualifiers for the first Major. Given how important that event is to the schedule, he’ll need to find a new home quickly.