Topson reaches No. 1 on European Dota 2 ladder ahead of professional comeback
Topson reaches No. 1 on European Dota 2 ladder ahead of professional comeback
Topias " Topson " Taavitsainen briefly climbed to the top of the European Dota 2 matchmaking leaderboard as speculation continues around his return to professional competition.
The two-time The International champion reached the No. 1 position on September 2 before later dropping to fourth as several top players returned to European matchmaking.
The achievement comes shortly after Topson confirmed that he has already decided which team he wants to join for the upcoming season.
Topson reaches top of European ladder
Topson moved ahead of players including Shad , Niku and swedenstrong to claim first place on the European rankings.
The timing of the achievement comes during an unusual period for the leaderboard.
Many elite players were still taking time away following The International 2026 in Shanghai, while several others remained registered in Southeast Asia after the tournament.
By September 3, some of those names had returned.
Nightfall moved into first place, while players including Satanic and Yatoro also resumed playing on the European server.
Topson subsequently slipped to fourth.
Professional comeback already decided
The ladder run follows Topson 's confirmation that he intends to compete professionally next season.
The Finnish midlaner recently revealed that he has already selected the team he wants to join and expects an official announcement to follow.
His destination remains unknown.
Several possibilities have circulated during the post-TI shuffle.
LGD Gaming have been linked with potentially bringing Topson back after he represented the organization as a stand-in at The International 2026.
Alliance have also reportedly considered building a new lineup around him, while Team Liquid has emerged as another speculative destination amid reports that Nisha could take an extended break.
TI return reignites competitive motivation
Topson had stepped away from professional play at the end of 2024.
His unexpected return came shortly before The International 2026, when LGD Gaming needed a replacement for TaiLung Mafia following the midlaner's match-fixing ban.
LGD were eliminated during the event's elimination stage, but Topson later admitted that the defeat affected him more than expected and helped renew his desire to compete.
Now back near the top of the European ladder and already committed to a new project, Topson appears set for a full return to professional Dota 2.
