The Brazilian esports organization paiN Gaming has officially announced the signing of Franco “dgt” Garcia, former leader of 9z Team. The move has sparked significant attention in the CS2 community, as dgt is considered one of South America’s most talented players.
From 9z to paiN: a game-changing transfer
Franco spent over five years with 9z, rising from a promising rookie to the team’s main driving force. With him, 9z qualified for two Majors, regularly competed on the international stage, and won several regional tournaments.
In February 2025, he was benched — admitting himself that he had lost his “fire” and needed a fresh challenge. paiN arrived at just the right moment: after a rough start to the season, they were looking for a strong Tier-1 rifler to immediately strengthen the lineup.
dgt on social media: “This transfer is an opportunity to reach a new level. I’m ready to give it my all to help paiN reach the top.”
paiN Gaming: a new philosophy
paiN is no longer just a “local giant.” The team aims to become a consistent contender on the international scene, and signing dgt is another step toward that goal. The new player is expected to bring aggression, stability, and confidence in crucial moments.
Replacing Kaue “kauez” Kaschuk, dgt is set to add flexibility in attack and discipline in defense. His rating against top-20 teams is 1.17, a testament to his high-level performance in serious matchups.
paiN Gaming roster as of April 2025:
- Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt
- Lucas “nqz” Soares
- João “snow” Vinicius
- David “dav1deuS” Tapia Maldonado
- Franco “dgt” Garcia
- Henrique “rikz” Waku (coach)
This is an international mix of experienced players from Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Such a combination brings both cultural and strategic diversity, along with a unique playstyle.
First test: BLAST Rivals
On April 30, 2025, paiN will face MOUZ in their debut match at BLAST Rivals Season 1. It’s the perfect opportunity to see the potential of this revamped roster in action.
In an HLTV interview, AWP player nqz shared:
“The atmosphere here is amazing. dgt fit in quickly, and I’ve never felt such energy in the team. We’re going to show the best version of paiN at the Major.”
