Elliot McSheen

<div>An unexpected rise to stardom, accompanied by a great consistency across the year, Axel "<a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/players/9570-vatira" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vatira.</a>" Touret claims top spot on our list. The young Frenchman, largely unheard of in 2021, caused upheaval throughout the scene, bringing the biggest names to heel in multiple legendary runs. As a key member and star of <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/5926-moist-esports" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Moist Esports</a>, vatira performed with efficiency above his years and achieved peaks even the greatest envy. Already, he stands amongst the best of all time for a triumphant year in a new era of Rocket League Esports.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2021, vatira was hidden from view. There were bigger domestic names, far more exciting talents and prodigies with greater potential. Vatira was just another youngster from an ever growing factory line of French stars. Yet, in the final third of 2021, vatira linked up with Joe "<a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/players/4232-joyo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joyo</a>" Young and Finlay "<a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/players/3f9e-rise" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rise.</a>" Ferguson to form what would become a cult trio and one of the great RLCS LAN teams. Their RLCS journey started with qualification to their <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/7b37-rlcs-2021-22-fall-europe-regional-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first Regional Event</a> of the 2021-22 Fall Split where they finished 9th-11th and took the giants of <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/dc74-team-bds" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Team BDS</a> to Game 5. Their year would end with a further two Regional appearances, which included a tight 3-4 playoff loss to <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/23e9-dignitas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dignitas</a> in the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/6429-rlcs-2021-22-fall-europe-regional-3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">third Fall Regional</a>. During this event, vatira averaged 0.79 goals per game with a rating of 1.118 to power his team to the playoffs, announcing himself to the world. Come January 2022, vatira was ready to fight for more than just a seat at the table, but he would go on to blow all expectations out of the water.</div><div><br></div><div>&lt;iframe src="https://clips.twitch.tv/embed?clip=ZealousFunnyMartenGivePLZ-eSiCchh1f60ESCVx&amp;parent=www.shiftrle.gg&amp;autoplay=false" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" height="378" width="620"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</div><div><br></div><div>The year 2022 began with a bang. While <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/ac15-team-queso" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Team Queso</a> were taken to round five of the Closed Qualifier of the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/7fa8-rlcs-2021-22-winter-europe-regional-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first Winter Regional</a>, they were able to overcome <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/d64f-heroic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heroic</a> in the final series to qualify for their first Regional event of the year. The roster would go on the first of many classic runs to win the Regional undefeated. They swept Team BDS, the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/6426-rlcs-2021-22-fall-major" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fall Major</a> champions, and reclaimed bragging rights over Dignitas in the finals. The win was as abrupt as it was unexpected. Coming out of 2021, not many believed this young team was ready to challenge for titles, but now people were getting excited. The win fuelled the fires and Team Queso were ready to prove it was not just a flash in the pan.</div><div><br></div><div>At the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/7fd3-rlcs-2021-22-winter-europe-regional-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">second Winter Regional</a>, Team Queso made the finals again but this time lost to Team BDS, 0-4. Their spirits were not dampened, however, with the squad going on to win the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/7fd4-rlcs-2021-22-winter-europe-regional-3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">third Winter Regional</a> in spectacular fashion. Having been knocked down to the losers bracket with two losses in the group stage, Team Queso went on a miraculous run, beating five teams to make the grand finals. Here they beat <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/23d9-endpoint" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Endpoint</a> in a 4-3, 4-2 bracket reset and qualified to the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/6427-rlcs-2021-22-winter-major" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Winter Major</a> as the best team in Europe.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="https://octane-content.s3.amazonaws.com/vatira_RLCS_2021_22_Winter_Major_Zeebo_0df7115466.jpg"></div><div>vatira. at the RLCS 2021-22 Winter Major - <em>Image courtesy of Zeebo</em></div><div><br></div><div>During the online portion of the Winter Split, vatira averaged a 1.074 rating, the sixth highest rating in Europe. Vatira had done this, despite making 35 more best-of-seven game appearances than anyone else above him. The young star was clearly reaching the top of his game and was modeling his role on the many French icons that had come before him. In similar fashion to the likes of <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/players/40d2-m0nkey-m00n" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">M0nkey M00n</a> and <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/players/3dc9-chausette45" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chausette45</a>, vatira took on the role of third man for Team Queso and was given the most space to use his mechanical prowess. Joyo and rise facilitated the young Frenchman as best they could and the results were magical. Yet, it was on LAN in 2022 where we would come to see vatira in his purest form.</div><div><br></div><div>Team Queso came into the Winter Major as the nr. 1 seed from Europe, but with a 2-1 record in the group stage that included a 1-3 loss to <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/5d03-version1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Version1</a>, they were sent to the lower bracket. However, we had already seen how dangerous Team Queso could be in the lower bracket, and the young squad went on to take Los Angeles by storm. They beat <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/23a0-nrg-esports" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NRG</a>, <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/41b4-evil-geniuses" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Evil Geniuses</a>, <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/c81f-furia-esports" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FURIA</a>, <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/c155-faze-clan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FaZe Clan</a>, and <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/2389-spacestation-gaming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spacestation Gaming</a> to set up their first grand final appearance on LAN. It was against <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/23a5-g2-esports" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">G2 Esports</a>, a familiar sight on LAN. Team Queso managed to overcome the North Americans in the first series of the bracket reset, but were ultimately overcome 2-4 in the final series of the day, after many hours of grueling matches finally caught up with the youngsters. While vatira ultimately struggled in this final series, scoring a mere 0.38 goals per game, the LAN was seen as a learning experience for Team Queso and their Cinderella run was one of the greatest runs in RLCS history.</div><div><br></div><div>&lt;iframe src="https://clips.twitch.tv/embed?clip=SillyAttractiveMochaDatBoi-VHAXKR41ydatInFP&amp;parent=www.shiftrle.gg&amp;autoplay=false" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" height="378" width="620"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</div><div><br></div><div>Team Queso was no longer the right home for the players who had outgrown the organization heading into the 2021-22 Spring Split. It was popular influencer MoistCr1TiKaL who came knocking and quickly signed the team to his new esports organization, Moist Esports. Reinvigorated with a new family and the true belief to win more titles, Moist Esports continued their form in the Spring Split. The roster achieved another second-place finish at the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/7b3c-rlcs-2021-22-spring-europe-regional-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first Spring Regional</a>, followed this up with a bronze medal finish in the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/643b-rlcs-2021-22-spring-europe-regional-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">second</a> before finally winning the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/7b3d-rlcs-2021-22-spring-europe-regional-3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">last Regional</a> of the season. In this third Regional, vatira was in fine form, averaging a 1.216 rating, his highest rating of the year. As a result, Moist Esports qualified for the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/7b36-rlcs-2021-22-spring-major" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spring Major</a> as the second seed from Europe.</div><div><br></div><div>To start off the Spring Major, Moist Esports swept aside their North American opponents <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/a193-optic-gaming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OpTic Gaming</a>, before suffering another shock defeat at the hands of Version1 in the winners bracket. Again, the team was forced into making another lower bracket run and they rose to the occasion. They beat <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/58d0-pioneers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pioneers</a> and <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/64ca-team-liquid" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Team Liquid</a> before narrowly overcoming Spacestation Gaming in a nail-biting seven-games series that was ended by an overtime goal scored by rise. This put Moist into the fifth and final day of the event where they managed to beat <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/dcbd-karmine-corp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Karmine Corp</a> 4-1 before facing Version1, once again.</div><div><br></div><div>With momentum on the side of Moist Esports, Version1 could not contain the high powered offense of the Europeans and were swept 4-0. In the grand finals, Moist Esports would come up against a new opponent, <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/3919-team-falcons" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Team Falcons</a>, who were experiencing their own Cinderella run on LAN. Moist Esports, having learnt many a lesson from the Winter Major, defeated the Middle Eastern side 4-3 and 4-0 to crown themselves Spring Major Champions. Vatira‘s performance during the grand finals was season-defining. He averaged 0.82 goals and assists per game with a 1.190 rating before being named Defensive MVP at the end of the event.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="https://octane-content.s3.amazonaws.com/Moist_Esports_RLCS_2021_22_Spring_Major_Psyonix_be1d592904.jpg"></div><div>vatira. and Moist Esports after winning the RLCS 2021-22 Spring Major - <em>Image courtesy of Psyonix</em></div><div><br></div><div>Moist Esports were now LAN winners and had shown the mental fortitude to overcome even the toughest of obstacles. Heading into the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/6425-rlcs-2021-22-world-championship" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2021-22 World Championship</a>, they were deservedly seen as one of the favorites. Vatira had grown into his role as the star third man and his performance at the Spring Major had shown that he was now excelling in the LAN setting. Moist Esports opened their account with a 4-2 win over Spacestation Gaming and would then demolish European underdogs, <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/e57a-smpr-esports" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SMPR Esports</a>, 4-0 to qualify for the playoffs. Many still saw Moist Esports as the favorite and they now came up against FURIA Esports. FURIA lost to Moist Esports during the Winter Major, but they had managed to take the Europeans to seven games. Now, superstars clashed in what became one of the most iconic series in Rocket League history. Yan "<a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/players/4337-yanxnz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">yanxnz</a>" Xisto Nolasco produced a heroic display of mechanical skill to conquer the Spring Major champions in an incredible back and forth between two great teams. While the series was a treat for the eyes, Moist Esports were sent packing and had to deal with the disappointment of their defeat. After the event, vatira was given the Regular Season EU MVP for RLCS 2021-22, a sign of what he had achieved since making his debut.</div><div><br></div><div>&lt;iframe src="https://clips.twitch.tv/embed?clip=PrettiestLightMomOSsloth-I754LrhYM0YTpNNW&amp;parent=www.shiftrle.gg&amp;autoplay=false" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" height="378" width="620"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</div><div><br></div><div>During his time with Joyo and rise in 2022, vatira could always be relied upon. He anchored the team in key moments, produced consistent displays across the board, and was most often the difference maker. While rise elevated his offense on LAN and Joyo provided an X factor in tight series, it was vatira who brought the most security, improving both the peak and trough of one of the year’s finest squads. Together, Moist Esports had achieved legend status, but sometimes, all good things must come to an end.</div><div><br></div><div>Vatira decided it was time to move onto greener pastures and chose to join Karmine Corp to build a new French-speaking team for RLCS 2022-23. He would link up with Karmine Corp veteran, Amine "<a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/players/a477-itachi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">itachi</a>" Benayachi and former SMPR Esports star, Brice "<a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/players/4142-exotiik" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ExoTiiK</a>" Bigeard. Karmine Corp quickly established themselves as one of Europe’s best. At the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/c031-rlcs-2022-23-fall-europe-regional-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fall Open</a>, Karmine Corp beat vatira’s former side Moist Esports 4-1, but were then comfortably beaten by <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/dc33-oxygen-esports" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oxygen Esports</a> in the grand finals. Vatira achieved his first Regional win with the new team during the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/c032-rlcs-2022-23-fall-europe-regional-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fall Cup</a>, beating <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/ed00-quadrant" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Quadrant</a> 4-2. The French organization rounded out the online portion of the Fall Split with another runners-up finish at the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/c033-rlcs-2022-23-fall-europe-regional-3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fall Invitational</a> and qualified for the <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/events/467c-rlcs-2022-23-fall-major" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fall Major</a> as the nr. 1 European seed. This meant that vatira ended the year having reached eight out nine Regional finals, and was on his way to a fourth consecutive LAN. During this period, vatira averaged a rating 1.127, his highest rating for a Split since making his RLCS debut.</div><div><br></div><div>As the European favorites to win the 2022-23 Fall Major, Karmine Corp had all the makings of a title-winning squad. They quickly dealt with the swiss stage, beating <a href="https://www.shiftrle.gg/teams/bd34-james-cheese" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James Cheese</a>, Spacestation Gaming, and Moist Esports, all with only dropping one game. Things even looked favorable heading into the playoffs, as Karmine Corp’s first matchup was against Moist Esports, a team they’d already beaten at this event and twice in best-of-seven matches online. However, with the blue wall out in force and Moist Esports rekindling some of that flame that made them a force on LAN the previous season, Karmine Corp suffered a 1-4 defeat. The team had crumbled when it seemed like everything was lining up. As a result, vatira ended the year with another 5th-8th and had to watch his former teammates reach the grand finals.</div><div><br></div><div>From prodigy to powerhouse, vatira has accumulated a career’s worth of achievements all in one year, but he is not done yet. The Frenchman has set himself up for a journey only the best in Rocket League can realize. He has a chance to build a legacy that very few can ever achieve, but first we must celebrate his inaugural year in the RLCS — and what a year it has been. 432 RLCS appearances, eight Regional finals, and a Major title. Yet, there is one title that every player seeks. One tournament that everyone dreams of winning. There’s an empty spot in vatira’s trophy cabinet in the shape of a World Championship trophy.</div><div><br></div><div><img src="https://octane-content.s3.amazonaws.com/vatira_RLCS_2022_23_Fall_Major_Psyonix_8f1502e62f.jpg"></div><div>vatira. at the RLCS 2022-23 Fall Major - <em>Image courtesy of Psyonix</em></div>

The French all-rounder claims his rightful spot at the top of our list after one of the greatest breakout years in Rocket League history.

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