Mid laner for Team Falcons Stanislav "Malr1ne" Potorak disclosed earlier this week on Telegram that he is in the process of obtaining a new visa and may not be able to attend ESL One Birmingham 2024. As the competition draws near, anxiousness is reaching a fever pitch for everyone involved—fans, Team Falcons, and Malr1ne in particular. 

Although he had sought for a visa, the midlaner disclosed that he was unsure of his position and had not received a response from the authorities regarding the status of his application.

A fascinating development occurred when someone posing as Team Falcons' social media manager hinted to an incredible possibility: a former TI Champion who holds dual Russian and German citizenship may enter the competition. Now, any true Dota 2 enthusiast is aware that Leon "Nine" Kirilin, who was formerly with Tundra Esports, satisfies this need.

The same insider delicately strengthened the case for Nine's involvement by echoing Malr1ne's prior complaints about the UK's strict immigration regulations, which added to the spice. 

There is only one individual in Dota who is a dual citizen of Germany and Russia, and they will fill in as a mid-laner for one of the teams, according to the message. What kind of bullshit am I talking about, you ask? He is, incidentally, the former International Champion. As it happens, though, getting to the competition in England is quite difficult.

When the message is decoded, Nine is virtually mentioned as a possible Malr1ne replacement. Despite Tundra's lack of an offlaner and OG's inability to carry, Team Falcons appears to be the most likely contender for Nine's mid-lane skill due to the teams' distinct demands. 

Still, this is just speculation unless proven otherwise. The visa problem throws a spanner in what should have been an easy competition preparation for Team Falcons. As of right now, neither Malr1ne nor the club have made an official announcement about his visa status, so things are unclear and full of possibilities.