Robo sues paiN Gaming for $681,000 over contract dismissal

Brazilian League of Legends top laner Leonardo “Robo” Souza has filed a lawsuit in Brazil’s labor courts against paiN Gaming. He is seeking R$3,457,524.80, or about $681,000, after the organization terminated his contract for cause on July 13. No ruling has been issued.

Robo stopped competing for paiN in late April after disagreements with the coaching staff over practice, roster decisions and the team’s approach to the game. His contract remained active after he left the lineup. PaiN began an internal review on June 8 and ended his contract more than a year before its scheduled expiration on Nov. 15, 2027.

The case will address whether Robo’s alleged conduct justified dismissal for cause under Brazilian labor law. PaiN’s coaching staff and management reviewed his contractual obligations and gave him an opportunity to respond before the termination, according to the organization’s court filings. PaiN maintains that its internal process was valid and plans to defend the case.

Documents in the proceedings include a performance assessment by assistant coach Matheus “Sarkis” Guimarães Sarquis, who raised concerns about Robo’s individual play. Former head coach Xero described disputes with Robo involving staff arguments, requests for roster changes and offensive comments. Xero left paiN in August.

“I’ve never come across a player who, in such a short time, caused so much damage to the team’s working environment, mutual trust and ability to function,” Xero wrote in his report.

Robo’s legal team disputes the allegations and questions the internal investigation. His lawyers argue that paiN collected the evidence, prepared the reports and made the final disciplinary decision. They maintain that poor competitive performance alone would not justify dismissal for cause under Brazilian labor law.

Robo acknowledges that he can be direct and had expressed frustration, but denies that his conduct amounted to serious misconduct. He joined paiN after leaving LOUD for a project built around experienced players and led by Sarkis. His defense argues that the project changed during the season after Alexandre “TitaN” Lima dos Santos was suspended and other roster changes followed.

Robo is asking the court to overturn the dismissal, recognize an employment relationship and award damages and other employment-related payments. He claims R$1.344 million ($265,000) in material damages, arguing that the termination came after the roster transfer window closed and reduced his chance to join another team that season.

He is also seeking R$420,000 ($83,000) in moral damages over the alleged effect on his professional reputation and public image, as well as R$896,000 ($176,000) in contractual compensation tied to the remaining term of his deal. Additional claims bring the total to R$3,457,524.80.

The dollar figures are approximate conversions based on the exchange rate on Oct. 16, 2026. They are claims, not amounts awarded by the court, and could be accepted, reduced or rejected. The case remains in its early stages, with no ruling on the dismissal, employment status or financial claims.