"Shushei", first-ever LoL World MVP, passed away at age 36

29 April 2025

Most of the time, we try to write articles about interesting developments and innovations in the world of international esports. Today, unfortunately, is not one of those days, because we are dedicating this one to Maciej Ratuszniak, better known in the worldwide League of Legends community as “Shushei”. The Polish midlaner, who represented Fnatic for most of his career, was a legend in the community as he was part of the Fnatic team that won the first-ever League of Legends World Championship back in 2011. After that tournament, Shushei was also awarded the first-ever Worlds MVP trophy. Unfortunately, on April 28th 2025, he lost the battle against cancer.
At Legal-Esport.com, we extend our condolences to Maciej’s family and friends.

A League of Legends legend

With the sad passing of Shushei, the League of Legends community and the world of international esports as a whole, has lost a big name, a legend, and a beloved competitor. On top of that, he is considered an absolute pioneer in his home country of Poland, not just in terms of competitive League of Legends, but in terms of esports as a whole. Few people have had an impact on the local esports community in Poland as Shushei did.

“We’re deeply saddened to hear the news of Shushei’s passing”, Fnatic wrote on their own Facebook page after the news of Shushei’s passing had become public, “Shushei was a part of the incredible Fnatic team that won the first ever League World Championship back in 2011 that begun the LoL fandom for so many of our fans - our thoughts are with his friends and family.”

Leaving a legacy behind

To give you an idea of just how much of a legend Shushei was and will remain to be in League of Legends: the midlaner retired in 2013, more than twelve years ago at the moment of writing. The fact that he was part of the winning team at the first-ever Worlds event is forever though, as is his status as the first-ever winner of the Worlds MVP trophy. As is tradition in League of Legends after winning the MVP, he was allowed to choose a Hero for which a personalized skin would be made. He chose Gragas and the Shushei skin is still available for purchase in the game today.

Of course, winning the inaugural League of Legends world championship was not Shushei’s only achievement. Far from it actually, because in 2011, he was also part of the Fnatic lineup that won the Intel Extreme Masters Season VI: New York. That was not his first IEM victory though, because as a member of Germany-based organization MyRevenge (which no longer exists nowadays) he won IEM Season V: Hannover as well.

In the words of well-known LEC (League of Legends EMEA Championship) desk host Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere: “Rest in peace Shushei.. one of the first greats of our game. Way too young to go.. no words”.