snow: "I hope I can stay with this emotion my entire life. I like to be happy playing"

paiN's 18-year-old is the team's hype man regardless of his individual level.

João "⁠snow⁠" Vinicius and paiN have had a tough season but narratives are there to be re-written and the South American team have done so with a 3-1 record in Stage 2.

A statement 13-11 win over regional rival FURIA (and two more over Nemiga and Lynn Vision) was proof that a few weeks off had revitalized paiN, a needed turnaround after a run of 13 losses in 14 matches.

Date	Matches
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 Stage 2
07/06/2025	paiN Finished 13:7 Nemiga	Match
07/06/2025	paiN Finished 13:11 FURIA	Match
09/06/2025	paiN Finished 2:0 Lynn Vision	Match

"We worked a lot in Brazil in these 14 days, 15 days," snow told HLTV. "This is the reward for us."

In that time the team could complete the integration of Franco "⁠dgt⁠" Garcia, a process disrupted by the use of stand-ins at Melbourne and the start of Astana.

That's come with more changes for snow — who is happy to "do whatever the team needs" — as he looks to turn his year around.

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So far, snow sits at a 0.92 rating for 2025 but there have been flashes: A 1.14 rating at Bounty, and finally going above 1.00 again so far in Austin.

The important thing, however, is staying happy. "Tournament to tournament I am getting better, so I'm feeling confident. [But] being happy is the crucial thing."

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Through to Stage 3, how does that feel?

I'm feeling so good. I'm so happy that we qualified to Stage 3. We deserved it. We worked a lot in Brazil in these 14 days, 15 days. This is the reward for us.

What did you do in Brazil? Was there relaxation as well? How much hard work was there after a tough start to the season?

We talked with each other a lot. We talk a lot about maps, watched new demos for new positions because we have a new player. It's okay to switch positions, it's normal. We worked a lot, talked a lot with each other, and that's it.

What about your individual form? The year started so well at Bounty, how are you feeling?

Individually I am confident now. My goal is to improve as a player, get this, improve. Tournament to tournament I am getting better, so I'm feeling confident. Being happy is the crucial thing.

How much have the role changes affected you? Obviously when kauez left, you got a few tougher positions, how has that been?

I had some bad moments, bad tournaments. I think there is a reason for this. We played with [deemO], the coach, it's normal to have bad results in my opinion. That's it.

You're still so emotive when you play though, you're never going to lose that?

I hope not! I hope I can stay with this emotion my entire life. I like to be happy playing, I like to make my teammates happy in the match. This is my way.

You still get to have some fun, Nuke you play Outside on T side (where he went 12-6), are you more comfortable being an aggressive player?

Yeah. I do whatever the team needs. If the team needs an aggressive player I will do it. I will do all the stuff. In some maps I can be aggressive.

What was it like beating FURIA the other day? Was it a big moment for the team?

Yeah, I feel like it was a big moment for the team to beat FURIA. Of course, they are our rival in the region. It's a good match for us to win, it's important for our confidence. We are so happy with this.

Going into Stage 3, what are your expectations? What would you be happy with?

We will be happy if we can go to the playoffs.

I know it's been close, 9th-11th, 9th-11th before you came. Is now the time?

Yeah, this is the time. I hope this is the time.

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