LGD Gaming’s mid laner Santiago “TaiLung” Agüero Gustavo has been banned from Dota 2 The International 2026 following a competitive integrity issue, while PGL has permanently barred the 17-year-old prodigy from all of its events.
LGD announced the decision on Aug. 9, just days before the annual Dota 2 world championship begins in Shanghai, China. The organization said it learned of information concerning a potential competitive integrity violation involving TaiLung, prompting it to launch an internal review and report the matter to the relevant tournament organizers.
Following the subsequent investigation, tournament organizers ruled that TaiLung would not be allowed to compete at TI 2026. PGL has additionally imposed a permanent ban covering all of its events.
LGD did not disclose what specific action or behavior led to the punishment. The organization said it respects the decision and will complete the necessary procedures under the tournament rules.
“Fair competition and competitive integrity are fundamental to professional esports,” LGD said in a statement, adding that it will continue to take action and cooperate with tournament organizers whenever potential integrity concerns arise.
LGD Dota2 division announcement pic.twitter.com/lwa4FS4UIU
— LGD Gaming (@LGDgaming) August 9, 2026
LGD searching for new mid laner after TaiLung ban
The ban leaves LGD scrambling for a replacement with TI 2026 only days away. The organization said its remaining players are continuing preparations for the tournament as scheduled. Under a special roster adjustment approved by the tournament organizers, LGD is currently finalizing a change to its mid-lane position and is set to announce its final TI 2026 roster once the necessary procedures are completed.
TaiLung had been one of the most highly regarded young players in the Dota 2 scene. The Peruvian mid laner joined HEROIC in January this year before the squad was acquired by LGD in May. He quickly established himself as one of South America’s brightest prospects.
TaiLung made headlines at BLAST Slam VII in June when he recorded over 275,000 hero damage as Zeus in a 111-minute game against Aurora Gaming, setting a new single-game hero damage record in professional Dota 2.
The decision also comes less than a month after the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) announced provisional suspensions involving two other South American Dota 2 figures.
On July 14, ESIC provisionally suspended Peruvian mid laner Oswaldo “DarkMago” Herrera and coach Juan “Vintage” Angulo of PTime, also known as PlayTime, during the Dota 2 Esports World Cup 2026.
ESIC said the two individuals were suspended following a preliminary assessment of information concerning suspected breaches of its Anti-Corruption Code and Player Code of Conduct. The suspensions immediately prevented DarkMago and Vintage from participating in the EWC and ESIC member competitions while the investigation continued.
It could be remembered that PlayTime and LGD Gaming disputed South America’s lone TI 2026 slot, with the latter winning the final via a 3-0 sweep.
Dota 2 personalities react to TaiLung ban
The news quickly drew reactions from several prominent figures in the Dota 2 scene, with many expressing disappointment over the loss of one of the game’s most promising young talents.
Team Liquid coach William “Blitz” Lee said his team had considered building around TaiLung if Nisha decided to take a break or leave Liquid, and described how disappointing the development was.
“What a f*cking waste, kid literally lost on millions. Sad for LGD, as shit as it is for the scene good on them for refusing to play with a matchfixer,” Blitz wrote.
When nisha was gonna take a break or quit from our team idea was to grab tailung and rebuild around him, really disappointing. What a fucking waste, kid literally lost on millions. Sad for LGD, as shit as it is for the scene good on them for refusing to play with a matchfixer
— Will (@Blitz_DotA) August 9, 2026
Former pro player and analyst Maurice “KheZu” Gutmann also expressed his shock. “This is so sad, I was rooting for him and his team in so many scenarios, Dota really is plagued by match fixing and cheating.”
what the frick
— Maurice Gutmann (@KheZu) August 9, 2026
He was literally the new upcoming prodigy.
This is so sad, I was rooting for him and his team in so many scenarios, Dota really is plagued by match fixing and cheating 😭 https://t.co/M64W1H4n6N
Popular streamer Janne “Gorgc” Stefanovski similarly lamented the loss of TaiLung from the pro scene, calling him one of the most promising talents Dota 2 had seen. “Most promising talent we’ve ever lost to this 322 sh*t. This is gonna be the biggest ‘what if’ in Dota.”
Taiung banned from TI and possibly all pro dota!? Most promising talent we've ever lost to this 322 shit. This is gonna be the biggest "what if" in dota. https://t.co/fUhLZZXgG5
— Gorgc (@Gorgc) August 9, 2026
While the personalities referenced match-fixing, LGD’s announcement did not disclose the specific nature of the competitive integrity violation, and the organizers have not publicly detailed the conduct that resulted in TaiLung’s bans.
TaiLung breaks silence
TaiLung has broken his silence on the issue through an Instagram story, saying that his “silence does not constitute an admission” of any accusations.
TAILUNG: "MI SILENCIO NO CONSTITUYE UNA ADMISIÓN, ACEPTACIÓN NI RECONOCIMIENTO DE NINGUNA DE LAS ACUSACIONES (…)"
— Pancho Justo 🖊 (@justopancho) August 9, 2026
A través de su cuenta de Instagram, Tailung emitió un comunicado indicando que no acepta las acusaciones en su contra y que tomará las acciones correspondientes… pic.twitter.com/fYpz0gMl3H
“I have not spoken publicly about this situation because, at this moment, it is not appropriate for me to go into details. Out of respect for the commitments undertaken and for the issuance of statements from the corresponding channels, I prefer not to make statements about specific aspects of what happened,” he wrote.
“My silence does not constitute an admission, acceptance, or acknowledgment of any of the accusations, claims, or speculations that have been circulating,” he added. “I am waiting to address this situation with my lawyer and will handle any related matters through the appropriate channels.”
