LOUD’s erde becomes youngest VALORANT Champions MVP

LOUD’s 18-year-old in-game leader Roberto “erde” Lobos became the youngest MVP in VALORANT Champions history after leading the team to a 3-1 win over Team Vitality in the 2026 final in Shanghai, China, on Sunday, Oct. 18.

At 18 years and eight months, erde surpassed the previous record held by LOUD teammate Erick “aspas” Santos, who was 19 years and three months old when he won the MVP award at Champions 2022 in Istanbul. Aleksander “zeek” Zygmunt, who was 20 years and three months old when Acend won the 2021 tournament, is third on the list.

Erde finished the four-map final with 66 kills, 56 deaths and 31 assists. He averaged 222 ACS and had a 32% headshot rate. In the deciding 13-10 win on Haven, he recorded 21 kills and eight assists while playing Omen.

Across Champions 2026, erde recorded 310 kills, 242 deaths and 158 assists in 18 maps and 398 rounds. He averaged 224 ACS and played nine maps each on Omen and Sage.

After receiving the MVP award and lifting the trophy, erde became emotional while discussing his mother, who died shortly before LOUD’s opening match at the tournament. He also described the award as a goal he had pursued since he was a teenager.

“When I was 15, I’d watch the MVPs at every tournament and think, ‘I have to be up there.’ I started working toward it. It was always my goal,” erde said.

The championship came in erde’s first season with LOUD. He joined the organization in March 2026 and took over as in-game leader during its roster rebuild. Before winning the title, LOUD’s lineup became the youngest team to reach a Champions Grand Final.

Erde and Brazilian teammate Enzo “tkzin” Zimiani are both 18 years old.