Ninjas in Pyjamas Shakes Up Its CS2 Roster
In a surprising development, Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) has decided to bench Michel ‘Ewjerkz’ Pinto from its Counter-Strike 2 starting lineup. This move comes as the team aims to regroup following their performance at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, where they didn’t manage to progress beyond Stage 2.
Uncertain Times for Ewjerkz
The decision to bench Ewjerkz was officially announced on December 11th, 2025, marking the end of his 11-month tenure with the starting squad. Having joined from SAW in January with Rafael ‘arrozdoce’ Wing, hopes were high for the 2025 season. However, the team faced challenges, failing to qualify for multiple Tier 1 events. Out of the five Tier 1 appearances, notable performances included a top-eight finish at PGL Astana 2025 and a top-12 placement at IEM Cologne 2025.
“This was not an easy call, and we want to thank Michel for the effort and professionalism he has shown throughout his time with us. We appreciate everything he has done,” shared the organisation on social media.
Ninjas in Pyjamas is not alone in these roster changes. Brazilian team paiN Gaming has also started revamping its lineup by benching David ‘dav1deuS’ Tapia and Franco ‘dgt’ Garcia after their Major Stage 3 exit.
What Next For Ninjas in Pyjamas?
Currently ranked 29th in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), NIP is on the hunt for a new player to replace Ewjerkz, who is now available for new opportunities. It’s still uncertain if Kacper ‘xKacpersky’ Gabara, who joined on loan from ENCE in July, will remain with the roster. After achieving a second-place finish at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, the team has shown flashes of promise. With fresh talent in the mix, the coming season could finally see the Ninjas in Pyjamas solidifying their place among Counter-Strike’s elite.