Saffee returns, helps paiN beat FaZe 2-0 at IEM Atlanta

Rafael ‘saffee’ Costa was called up from MIBR’s bench to replace Lucas ‘nqz’ Soares and played for paiN at IEM Atlanta on May 11, 2026. The 31-year-old rifler, back with the organization after four years away, helped paiN record a 2-0 win over FaZe in his first official match since August 2025.

paiN practised with ‘saffee’ for a few weeks before the event and delivered a straight-sets victory over FaZe, who had reached the BLAST Rivals 2026 Season 1 semifinals. The team completed both maps in Atlanta without dropping a game.

After being benched by MIBR in early September 2025, ‘saffee’ reported he initially took time away to be with family and began preparing again in November. He said he received offers for a January return but kept training until the right opportunity arrived and then accepted the call to rejoin paiN.

Reflecting on his return, he added: “It feels really good, I missed it. Also, being back in this jersey feels nice. I really missed it; I missed competing and travelling.” He described the current paiN roster as young and said he is comfortable working with teammate ‘biguzera’, noting familiarity with the way ‘biguzera’ calls rounds.

When asked about the possibility of ‘nqz’ returning, he responded that he would not speculate and is concentrating on his own performance: “I just try to focus on my game and try to help those guys, and give the best that I can.”

paiN will travel to China for the CAC event after Atlanta, then hold a bootcamp in Belgrade as part of preparations for the IEM Cologne Major. On those plans he added: “I believe we’re going to bootcamp after China, I believe we’re going to Belgrade. We’re going to stay there and try to get better every day.”