League of Legends has become one of the largest esports in the world, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the best players battle it out on the Rift. With so much talent on display, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. That's why we've decided to shine a light on the 10 most successful pro players in League of Legends history. These players have dominated the game, cementing their legacies and earning the respect of their peers. So whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, get ready to be blown away by these champions of the Rift.
10. Rekkles
Rekkles stands tall with a look of quiet pride on his face.
See Rekkles in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpAX8yWE4Hc
Martin "Rekkles" Larsson is a Swedish professional League of Legends player who currently plays for Fnatic. Rekkles made his debut in competitive play at age of 16, which made him one of the youngest players ever to compete at a professional level
He is also known for his impressive record of 10 pentakills, which is the most achieved by any European player in esports. Rekkles has competed in 7 international S-tier tournaments, including 6 World Championships and 1 MSI.
In addition, he is the first player to reach both 1,000 and 2,000 kills in the LEC. Rekkles' outstanding skill and remarkable success have earned him the reputation as the best AD Carry player in European history and one of the best in the world.
Best Characters:
Rekkles has an impressive range of champions that he's mastered, making him a versatile player who can adapt to different situations and team compositions.
He has a competitive spirit that drives him to always strive for improvement, even when he's already considered one of the best in the game.
Rekkles is known for being really open-minded, always willing to explore new ways of playing the game and discovering new strategies that can give him an edge.
Despite being a top-tier player, Rekkles remains patient and level-headed in high pressure situations, such as tense team fights or one-on-one duels. This quality helps him stay calm and focused.
Major Tournament Achievements
EU Masters Spring 2022 – 1st ($41,495.67)
Rekkles Twitter: https://twitter.com/RekklesLoL
9. Mata
Intensely focused on the game at hand, Mata's quick reflexes and strategic calls demonstrate why he is a true master of the game.
See Mata in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HevgobZ7RO8
Cho "Mata" Se-hyeong is a professional League of Legends player from South Korea who is widely regarded as one of the greatest support players of all time. He is the only support player to be awarded MVP at the World Championship, a testament to his exceptional skills and contributions to his teams.
Although Mata has retired, he has played for some of the top-tier teams in both the LCK and the LPL, including Royal Never Give Up, SKT T1, and kt Rolster. His career is defined by his ability to set up kills, protect his teammates, and control the pace of the game through his vision and map awareness. Mata's legacy as the greatest support of all time has earned him widespread respect and admiration from League commentators and analysts.
Best Characters:
Mata is known for his dedication to the game, putting in countless hours of practice and analysis to constantly improve his gameplay and stay ahead of the competition.
He has an exceptional ability to create synergy with his teammates, no matter who he's playing with. Mata is always able to adapt his playstyle to mesh well with his teammates, creating a cohesive team that can dominate on the Rift.
Mata's macro play and map awareness are truly world-class. He has an innate sense of what's happening across the entire map, and can quickly make strategic decisions that give his team an edge in team fights or objectives.
His masterful control over the game's vision system allows him to keep track of his opponents' movements and set up ambushes and ganks. Mata's ability to create map pressure and control the flow of the game is unmatched, making him a fearsome opponent for any team.
Major Tournament Achievements
LCK Summer 2019 – 1st ($93,798)
Mata Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mata_sehyoung/
8. TheShy
A triumphant smile spreads across TheShy's face as he secures a stunning triple kill.
See TheShy in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLzch2JuLxs
Kang "TheShy" Seung-lok is a top laner for Weibo Gaming and is widely regarded as one of the best top laners in League of Legends history. He's known for his exceptional mastery of champions like Aatrox, Jayce, Fiora, Vladimir, and Akali, and he really came into his own during the 2018 Season World Championship.
During that tournament, he absolutely dominated his opponents, single-handedly destroying both Fnatic and G2 and leading his team, Invictus Gaming, to victory. TheShy is known for his incredibly strong laning phase, and he has even claimed in interviews that he doesn't believe there's anyone in the world who can match his abilities in that regard.
Best Characters:
Large champion pool: TheShy is known for his ability to play a variety of champions in the top lane, from traditional bruisers to carry champions like Jayce and Fiora.
Top lane carry: While top laners are often seen as split pushers or tanks, TheShy prefers to play carry champions that can deal a lot of damage and carry the game.
Great laning phase: TheShy's laning phase is one of his greatest strengths. He's able to dominate his opponents in lane and gain a significant advantage for his team.
Exceptional mechanics: TheShy's mechanical skill is often praised by analysts and commentators. He's able to pull off flashy plays and outplay his opponents with ease.
Major Tournament Achievements
SKE 2023 China – 1st ($283,185.88)
TheShy Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheShy991111
7. BeryL
BeryL's intense concentration while playing shows his commitment to winning and leading his team to success.
See BeryL in action: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=BerYl+HIGHLIGHTS
Cho "BeryL" Geon-hee is a Korean professional gamer who previously played for DWG KIA and is currently playing as a Support for DRX. He is one of the most accomplished players in League of Legends history, having won multiple major tournaments and accolades. BeryL is among the few players who have reached the Worlds Finals three times in a row (in 2018, 2019, and 2020), which is a remarkable achievement.
He is also the second player,after Duke, to win two Worlds titles with different teams, having won in 2019 with DAMON Gaming and in 2020 with DWG KIA. Interestingly, BeryL is the first player to achieve this feat without playing for SK Telecom T1. He is known for his exceptional play on Pyke, which is considered his signature champion.
Best Characters:
Consistency: BeryL is known for his ability to consistently perform at a high level, both in individual matches and throughout entire tournaments. He is a reliable player who can be counted on to deliver strong performances day in and day out.
Professionalism: BeryL is highly respected for his professional attitude both in and out of the game. He approaches his work with dedication and seriousness, and is known for his focus and commitment to improving his skills.
Discipline: BeryL is a disciplined player who takes his training and preparation seriously. He is known for his work ethic and his willingness to put in long hours to achieve his goals. His dedication and discipline have been cited as key factors in his success as a player.
Major Tournament Achievements2022 World Championship – 1st ($489,500)
BeryL Stream: https://bj.afreecatv.com/bery0202
6. Rookie
Rookie's face beams with joy and satisfaction as he celebrates his team's hard-fought victory.
See Rookie in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4vPm6RFPDk
Song "Rookie" Eui-jin is a highly accomplished Korean professional gamer who currently plays as a mid laner for Top Esports. Rookie earned the nickname "Faker Junior" early in his career due to his large champion pool and incredible mechanics.
Rookie is known for his exceptional play on champions such as Syndra, LeBlanc, and Orianna, and his ability to dominate his opponents with his skill and knowledge of the game. He has been a key player on several successful teams throughout his career, including Invictus Gaming, where he won the World Championship in 2018.
Rookie has achieved several impressive milestones in his career, including being the second player after Uzi to reach 1,500 and 2,500 kills in the LPL. He was also the first player to reach 600 games in the LPL.
Best Characters:
Adapting: One of Rookie's greatest strengths is his ability to adapt to new environments and challenges. After leaving his home country, South Korea, to play in China, he quickly adjusted to the new culture and playing style, becoming one of the best mid laners in the LPL. He has continued to adapt and evolve as a player, constantly refining his skills and strategies to stay at the top of his game.
Hardworking: Another key attribute of Rookie is his strong work ethic. He is known for his dedication to training and preparation, and his willingness to put in long hours to improve his gameplay. He has a relentless drive to succeed and is always looking for ways to push himself to new heights.
Professionalism: Rookie is highly respected for his professional attitude both on and off the stage. He approaches his work with a serious and focused mindset, always striving to be the best player he can be. He is also known for his humility and sportsmanship, and is a popular figure among fans and fellow players alike.
Major Tournament Achievements
LPL 2022 Spring – 1st ($306,421)
Rookie Twitter: https://twitter.com/RooKieGood
5. Ruler
Exuding confidence and composure, Ruler casts a brief but powerful glance at the camera before the game.
See Ruler in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqABfgQQmUE
Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk is a talented professional League of Legends player, currently serving as the bot laner for JD Gaming. He has made a name for himself in the competitive scene, earning the MVP award for the 2017 Season World Championship.
Ruler has also achieved impressive milestones in his career, including becoming the fourth player to reach 500 games played in the LCK, joining the ranks of Faker, Score, and Deft. He has also racked up an impressive number of kills, reaching 2000 kills in the LCK on July 22, 2022. In fact, he set a record for the most kills in a single split with 209 kills in LCK 2020 Summer
Best Characters:
One of Ruler's most notable qualities is his ability to avoid mistakes in gameplay. He is known for his careful decision-making and strategic thinking, which helps him make good choices in-game.
Ruler's calm and level-headed personality is a significant asset in high-pressure situations. He is able to keep his emotions in check, stay focused on the game, and make rational decisions even in tense moments.
Despite his impressive skills and accomplishments, Ruler remains committed to self-improvement. He understands that there is always more to learn and ways to get better, and he continually strives to do so.
Major Tournament Achievements
LCK 2022 Summer – 1st ($153,343)
Ruler Twitter: https://twitter.com/RulereluR
4. Deft
Deft's intense focus and unwavering concentration.
See Deft in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhM3vFDiJwg
Kim "Deft" Hyuk-kyu is a well-known League of Legends esports player, currently playing as a bot laner for Dplus KIA. He is particularly fond of Jinx and holds an impressive 91.3% win-rate on this champion in pro play. In addition to Jinx, he is also a renowned Sivir, Ezreal, and Varus player.
Deft has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the highest number of MVP points for his debut split in the LPL. For many years, he was considered one of the greatest players of all time to have never won a Worlds title, alongside his former KT teammates Smeb and Score.
However, in 2022, he finally achieved this milestone, winning Worlds with DRX after competing for 10 years. Another notable achievement of Deft is being the first and only player to reach 1000 kills in two different major regions: Korea and China.
Best Characters:
Deft is known for his mastery of spell weaving, which involves using spells in conjunction with auto attacks, animation canceling, and movement to maximize DPS in team fights.
He is skilled at staying out of danger zones within team fights, which allows him to deal damage while avoiding getting caught out by enemy abilities.
Deft has a keen understanding of his champion's limits, which enables him to make strategic decisions about when to engage in fights and when to back off.
Major Tournament Achievements
2022 World Championship – 1st ($489,500)
Deft Twitter: https://twitter.com/deftkimhyeokgyu
3. ShowMaker
Showmaker flashes a confident thumbs up to his fans.
See ShowMaker in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5cbpuX3dgM
Heo "ShowMaker" Su is a prominent League of Legends esports player, currently playing as a mid laner for Dplus KIA. He is well known for his exceptional skills in the game and his achievement of reaching 1000 kills in the LCK in record time. He became the fastest player to reach 1000 kills in the LCK on August 28th, 2021, cementing his position as one of the best players in the world.
For years, no one was even close to challenging the unkillable Demon King, Faker, in the mid lane. However, ShowMaker changed that in the 2021 World Championship when he defeated Faker in the semi-finals. ShowMaker's performance in the World Championship proved that he is a force to be reckoned with and a true superstar in the world of esports.
Best Characters:
ShowMaker is known for his exceptional farming skills, rarely missing a CS throughout the game, resulting in a high number of CS at the end of the game. He consistently achieves 300+ CS in most of his games, and sometimes breaks the 400 barrier, demonstrating his excellent ability to farm.
ShowMaker lives up to his name by making flashy plays and putting on a show for his fans. He enjoys taking risks and making plays that are both entertaining and effective.
In addition to his exceptional individual skills, ShowMaker also demonstrates a strong sense of teamwork and team play, often making sacrifices for the benefit of his team and making strategic plays that enable his teammates to shine.
Major Tournament Achievements
LCK 2022 Regional Finals – 1st ($163,659.85)
ShowMaker TwitchTV: https://www.twitch.tv/gjtn9664
2. Uzi
Overcome with emotion, Uzi lets out a victorious scream as he and his team secure the final fight to claim victory at the MSI.
See Uzi in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUu0Ik_FbIg
Jian "Uzi" Zi-Hao is widely regarded as one of the best League of Legends players of all time. He is known for his exceptional skills as a bot laner, particularly with hyper carry champions like Vayne. In fact, he was so dominant on this champion that he was the driving force behind the invention of the "protect the carry" meta.
This strategy involved the entire team playing supportive champions to enable Uzi to reach his full power and carry the team to victory. Uzi's dominance on the Rift is reflected in his numerous accomplishments and records.
He holds the record for the highest creep score per minute in every season of LPL he has participated in since 2015, and he was the first player to reach 500 games in the LPL. Uzi also holds the record for the most kills in professional games worldwide, with an impressive 1,926 kills at the time of his retirement.
He was the first player to reach milestones of 500/1000/1500/2000 and 2500 kills in the LPL, and has scored 3 pentakills with Vayne in competitive games, including a famous one in 2014 against Invictus Gaming that made him known worldwide. Uzi's contributions to the League of Legends community and his legacy as a player will never be forgotten.
Best Characters:
He is known for his exceptional micro mechanics, such as his ability to kite and dodge skill shots, and his precision in executing complex combos and maneuvers.
Uzi's perseverance and hard work paid off when he finally won his first international title, the MSI 2018, with Royal Never Give Up.
He is also known for his leadership skills, as he often takes charge in game and provides guidance and direction to his teammates.
Major Tournament Achievements
LPL 2022 Regional Finals Showmatch – 1st ($302,087.33)
Uzi Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UziBilibiliesports/videos
1. Faker
Fueled by his unrelenting drive and determination, Faker silences the doubters with a simple yet powerful gesture.
See Faker in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYXJI26nrNc
When it comes to the greatest League of Legends players of all time, the number one spot has to go to the one and only Faker. Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok is a true legend in the game, with an impressive list of achievements and a reputation as one of the most dominant players in history. He is known by many nicknames, including "Unkillable Demon King" and "Faker Faker Playmaker", and is widely regarded as the goat of League of Legends.
In addition to being an incredible player, Faker has achieved a number of impressive milestones, including being the first player to reach 1000/1500/2000/2500 kills in the LCK. He also reached 500 wins in LCK on July 8th, 2022, becoming the first player to achieve this milestone in LCK and worldwide within a single region.
Perhaps most impressive of all, Faker is the only player, along with Bengi, to have won the world championship three times. With his skill, dedication, and legacy, Faker will always be remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of League of Legends.
Best Characters:
Loyal to his team SKT T1, never left them despite offers from other teams and low team performance.
Known for his deep champion pool and understanding of the game. He Holds the record for the most unique champion picks as a mid laner (74 champions as of Feb 19th, 2023).
Creates pressure in the game just by existing, making opponents wary of his presence.
Knows when to make sacrifices and take risks.
Confident and a natural leader on the team.
Possesses strong mental health to handle the pressure and demands of competitive gaming.
Major Tournament Achievements
LCK 2022 Spring – 1st ($163,659.85)
Faker Twitter: https://twitter.com/faker
So, there you have it folks, the definitive list of the top 10 most successful pro players in League of Legends history! We've taken a deep dive into the careers of these incredible players, analyzing their stats, achievements, and impact on the game. It's impossible to deny the impact that these players have had on the growth and popularity of League of Legends. They've inspired millions of players around the world to chase their dreams and push themselves to be the best.
