Going into the 2019 Magic World Championship from the MPL

Marcio Carvalho is a Portuguese top-level professional player and is glorified by his 15 Grand Prix Top8s (including 3 trophies), 6 Pro Tour/Mythic Championship Top8s etc. The Grand Prix trophies in the past are all from limited formats (including one team limited), and his achievements in the 2015-2016 season was so great that he was invited to the 2016 Magic World Championship as a Draft Master.

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He got into Top8s in many tournaments after that, and considering his past achievements he was selected as one of the original members of the MPL starting in 2019. He was in the Top8 at the Mythic Championship Cleveland 2019 and showed good performance throughout the season.

He was rewarded Mythic Points continuously and got in the Top4 of MPL to be invited to the 2019 Magic World Championship.

Fighting Spirit

――How was your year as an original member of the MPL? Let us know your honest feelings.

“I felt really honored! I’m proud that my achievements were recognized and led to be invited as an original member of the MPL. I made good results as a MPL player too, and got a seat in this World Championship.”

Where the Superhumans Are

――It seems that you need to play both real-life and online Magic this season. Wasn’t there any influence on your rhythm of living?

“It was difficult to play both real-life and online Magic at first. I must admit it was hard work. But, professional players like me are used to getting ourselves adapted to new circumstances from are experience. So, I needed some effort, but I soon got used to it. It’s about fitting Magic into my lifestyle, the same as it was for me before. It wasn’t a big change.”

The Champion to Aim for

――Do you stream at home? How do you change your mood between working and relaxing? Let us know if there is a good way to get relaxed.

“I stream at home. When I find myself making not much progress or tired, I go to the beach to get relaxed. I live near the beach so It’s ideal for changing the mood. I pretty much love it.”

“I often read books and manga that I like on the beach.

――Does it happen to be a Japanese manga?

“In fact, I’m a great fan of Fighting Spirit (Hajime no Ippo)! I like Takamura the most. His attitude and efforts are what it should be for a proper champion. He is something I aim for.”

Best Teammates

――I heard that you have become teammates with Javier Dominguez and Andrea Mengucci last season, and that you have been practicing together. What kind of synergistic effect did you find by being a part of a team? Does it matter if there is difference in level of skills when making a team?

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“I’ve been with Javier for a long time and we are good friends. It’s been two or three years since I’ve been with Mengucci, but you don’t meet a man as friendly as him that often. They are both top-level players and we compensate our weaknesses. We’ve been encouraging each other through tournaments.”

“Skills matter of course, but the superior and inferior is not what matters first. The best player doesn’t mean the best playtest teammate, especially for me. Even if their skills aren’t as good, it’s important to be teammates with players that are good mates and ones that you know well about.”

Pick Up the Card

――You are known for your draft skills. If there is any good way to practice draft when you can’t get eight players, let us know.

“You won’t have enough people now and then. At those times, we don’t stick to eight peoples and do draft with six. It’s better to have eight of course, but you should do what you can do than grieving about the lacking numbers.”

“Professional players like us are used to getting adapted. Six is enough to find out what kind of deck types exist and how cards could be played.”

The Peak to Aim for

――What are the targets you want to achieve as a top-level Magic player Marcio Carvalho?

Marcio and his family

“To become the best player in the world is a target, but there is something else I think important.”

“That is to help more mates and friends in this world’s best game.”

※ Marcio has achieved his results by playing local, for instance he has declined invitations from famous players to playtest with local Magic community members for the Pro Tours.

《Finale of Glory》

Marcio Carvalho’s skills are undoubtful. However, nothing can go easy on the stage of the World Championships. Even Javier Dominguez who was the favorite in the tournament lost and got out of the tournament in Day1.

But it wasn’t the case for this man.

He got an outstanding 5-0 to get into Top4 in first place. His passion to become the world champion was strong.

We asked @KbolMagic how he feels going into the top 4 tomorrow at #MTGWorlds! #HareruyaPros pic.twitter.com/YEGLFksrH1

— Hareruya English (@hareruyaEnglish) February 16, 2020

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He lost the semi-final against Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa, but he won against Seth Manfield who won his way through from the losers group, and got to the grand finals. The match results of Marcio Carvalho and Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa was an even 1-1, counting from Day1. The time to have a show down has come!

The battle went on to the last game. Little difference led to the result of the match.

The goddess of victory smiles to the players, sometimes sweetly, other times cruelly. The deciding factor was very Magic-like. A color screw.

Well i guess im used to it but it still hurts always, congrats to @PVDDR hes just a insane champion and a well deserving one #2ndplace #alwaysthebridedmaid #MTGWorlds

— Márcio A Carvalho (@KbolMagic) February 17, 2020

That moment the way of becoming the world champion had ended for Marcio. The hard working, kind, cheerful and friendly MPL player didn’t get the best results. In our view it looked like it was just one more step that he needed to get it.

It might be because he was always a cheerful man, it was hard to see him look so worn out. Eventually we saw a Spanish player through him. The player who lost in the grand finals of the 2017 Magic World Championship, but became the champion in the 2018 World Championship next year. Javier Dominguez.

We don’t mean to be sentimental and overlap the defeat to talk about the hope in next year vaguely. We don’t think of Marcio to be such a cheap man. However, the hungriness he had for the World Championship was extraordinary.

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It links with his life as a player. The start, momentary glory, fail, regeneration, and to become a community leader. He aimed for a goal in this World Championship.

So, this can’t be an end. The story of Marcio Carvalho has not come to a credit roll yet.

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A year after this story should end. In the center of the arena, Marcio holding his trophy.