Season 1 League of Legends World Champion Maciej ‘Shushei’ Ratuszniak has died at age 36 following his fight with cancer on April 28th, 2025. The Polish esports legend, who rose to fame with Fnatic, made history as the recipient of the first-ever MVP award at the inaugural world championship back in 2011.
Championship Legacy Lives On Through In-Game Tribute
Though Shushei stepped away from competitive play in 2013, his impact on League of Legends esports remains significant. Following his stellar performance at the 2011 World Championship, he selected Gragas as the champion to receive his personalized skin. Even 14 years after his championship victory, players can still purchase the Fnatic Gragas skin, preserving his legacy within the game itself.
Tournament Dominance Beyond Worlds
Shushei’s competitive achievements extended beyond his world championship title. While representing Fnatic, he claimed victory at Season 6 of Intel Extreme Masters in New York. Earlier in 2011, he also secured a win at IEM Hannover while competing with myRevenge.
Community Honors a Fallen Legend
Fnatic acknowledged Shushei’s passing with a heartfelt tribute on social media, stating that they lost a legend who helped establish the Fnatic LoL fanbase for countless supporters after winning the first-ever League of Legends World Championships in 2011. The organization expressed that their thoughts remain with his friends and family during this difficult time.
The esports community joined in paying respects, including LEC desk host Eefje Depoortere who remarked that Shushei was among the first greats of the game and departed far too young.
Pioneer of Polish Esports
Regarded as a trailblazer for esports in Poland, Shushei built a dedicated following during the early days of competitive League of Legends. He became known for both his engaging personality and innovative strategies that gave him advantages on Summoner’s Rift. His memory will endure as an iconic figure within both Fnatic and the broader esports world.