Matumbaman has been removed from Team Liquid's Dota 2 roster, the org has announced.
Team Liquid Dota 2 said the decision, which comes 10 days before the EPICENTER Major in Moscow is due to start, was "in the best interest of of all parties".
Liquid said Matumbaman's replacement would be announced in the coming days.
The 24-year-old Finn - real name Lasse Aukusti Urpalainen - joined Liquid in 2015 and his achievements included winning The International in 2017.
UPDATE: Who Team Liquid could get as Matumbaman replacement
Team Liquid Dota 2 roster
The departure of Matumbaman, who primarily played carry, leaves the Team Liquid roster looking like this:
- Miracle
- MinD_ContRoL
- GH
- KuroKy
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'Like a sea captain'
In a statement released on Wednesday, Team Liquid said: "This was a mutual decision and one that we believe is in the best interest of all parties. MATU is open to new opportunities as we explore the ideal next step for him in his career.
"MATU has been an indelible part of Team Liquid's history and our Dota team's DNA over the past three years, providing highlights and GIFs aplenty. Both his personality and his play have been important factors during our most memorable wins but, more than that, he has been a steadying force in turbulent times, like a sea captain righting his ship.
"As the Wolf, the Bear and the Spider, MATU cemented his place as one of the game's best with Team Liquid and we will always be proud of our time together as one of the greatest teams to ever play Dota 2."
'Absolutely heart-breaking'
Unsurprisingly, Team Liquid's decision to axe Matumbaman provoked much debate among the Dota 2 community.
Picture: Adela Sznajder / ESL
