paiN signs Rafael ‘saffee’ Costa on loan as interim AWPer

paiN announced Rafael “saffee” Costa has joined the organization on loan to serve as the team’s interim AWPer after Lucas “nqz” Soares stepped away from competition for personal reasons. Saffee is scheduled to play at IEM Atlanta and the CS Asia Championships and is registered as a substitute for the IEM Cologne Major.

PaiN confirmed saffee will join the active roster for the upcoming international events while nqz remains benched. The club listed saffee as the AWP specialist for Atlanta and the CS Asia Championships and as a backup option for the IEM Cologne Major. The arrangement is temporary while nqz addresses his personal matters.

With saffee back in the mix, paiN’s active lineup is Vinicius “vsm” Moreira, Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt, Guilherme “piriajr” Barbosa, Rafael “saffee” Costa and João “snow” Vinicius, with Henrique “rikz” Waku serving as coach. Lucas “nqz” Soares is currently benched and not available for selection.

Saffee first joined paiN in 2020 and played his first Major with the organization in 2021. He left paiN in early 2022 to join FURIA, where he remained until mid-2023 and was part of the squad that reached the Major semifinals in Rio. He later signed with MIBR and was a starter until he was benched in August 2025. The current loan returns him to paiN for the short term.

The AWP role in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive centers on long-range precision and holding key positions. PaiN has chosen an experienced AWPer with prior history at the club instead of promoting an internal replacement. PaiN will field the temporary roster at IEM Atlanta and the CS Asia Championships, and saffee remains eligible to play at the IEM Cologne Major if the team requires him.