Log in

Former Fnatic Mid Laner and Worlds MVP Shushei Passed Away After Battle with Cancer

Former Fnatic Mid Laner and Worlds MVP Shushei Passed Away After Battle with Cancer

League of Legends

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

29 Apr, 2025, 13:17

|

Last updated: 29 Apr, 2025, 16:32

A lost legend of the game, Maciej "Shushei" Ratuszniak has reportedly passed away following his battle with cancer. The former mid laner put Fnatic, and Poland, on the map in the early days of competitive League of Legends, and will always remain one of the most beloved professional players to come out of Europe.

The first Worlds MVP

Shushei's year long stint with Fnatic led the squad to the trophy at the very first League of Legends World Championship all the way back in 2011. Even if Worlds at the time did not include teams from South Korea or China, Shushei's early innovative style of play and unconventional picks were impressive in their own right.

Known for his Gragas, it was actually Alistar that became his most played champion in the mid lane at Worlds Season 1. After putting up a total KDA of 6.32 at the tournament to lead Fnatic to the title, Shushei earned himself the first-ever Worlds MVP Award.

His team's victory at the World Championship also earned Shushei his own skin in League of Legends: Fnatic Gragas.

Saying goodbye to a legend

On the night of April 28th, 2025, Shushei sadly passed away from cancer at the age of 36. Though not much is known about his battle with the disease, Shushei's own sister described it as "short and fierce."

After conquering the hearts of so many League of Legends fans across the world, it is those of Shushei's family that will mourn his loss the most. A funeral for Shushei is expected to take place on May 5th, providing the chance for many to say their final goodbyes.

Fnatic Shushei

Shushei will forever be remembered as a legend of the game. (Credit: LoL Esports)

Follow Strafe Esports for all the latest League news and our X account for the latest content and coverages. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Feature image credit: LoL Esports

Read more:

Team Liquid to field a 6-man roster with Yuuji sharing jungle spot with UmTi

LEC Summer Finals 2025 heads to Madrid: Tickets, dates, venue, and more

Chovy remains deathless in dominant spree at the LCK 2025

Latest news

The Real Pay Gap: Why a Mid-Tier Streamer Often Out-Earns a Pro Player

Compare esports player salary vs streamer income - real numbers, verified data. CS2, Dota 2, LoL pros vs xQc, Ninja, Faker, Full breakdown

Great Britain to be represented at Esports Nations Cup 2026 By UK-Based Collective

Yesterday, the Esports Foundation (EF) awarded National Team Partner status to organizations and individuals across more than 100 countries and territories. The concerted effort was all in preparation for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) in November, a global nation-based esports competition. UK now joins the growing assembly of countries set to compete later this year in Riyadh.

LEC Spring 2026: Schedule, Format, Tickets, Rosters, and More

After a remarkable performance by the region at First Stand, LEC action resumes as teams look for the second trophy of the year and a coveted spot at MSI. The LEC Spring 2026 kicks off this Saturday, March 28, where some stellar matchups await right off the bat! Here's a look at everything you need to know about the 2026 LEC Spring, including a look at the new format, schedule, rosters, tickets, and more.

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

League of Legends Patch 26.07 Preview: Kalista Buffs, Nami Nerfs, and More

A new League of Legends patch is on the horizon. LoL Patch 26.07 won't be a particularly big one, but it will still deliver buffs to a few forgotten champions, and nerfs picks that been taking over the game recently. Let's have a look at some of the biggest changes coming our way once LoL Patch 26.07 goes live on Wednesday, April 1.

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

LEC Spring Roadtrips 2026 Head to France and Spain: Dates, Locations, and Tickets

With First Stand done and dusted, the start of the 2026 LEC Spring is right around the corner. And just like they did for the first split of the year, LEC Spring Roadtrips will be returning to France and Spain for some hype live action. Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 LEC Spring Roadtrips in France and Spain, including exact dates, matches, locations, and where to buy tickets.

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

Meta Takeaways from First Stand 2026: Yunara Dominates as Azir Falls Off

And just like that, First Stand 2026 has come and gone. With the first international tournament of the season now done, it's time to take a look back at the champions that defined the event, and the champions that teams consistently relied on as they chased glory.

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

Best Champions to Climb League of Legends Ranked in Patch 26.06

League of Legends Patch 26.06 continues the early-season trend of small but meaningful balance tweaks. With First Stand out of the way, the new patch was able to leave pro play aside and focus on Solo Queue, introducing targeted champion adjustments and ongoing meta refinement rather than sweeping changes. If you’re looking to gain LP efficiently, these are the best champions to climb ranked in League of Legends Patch 26.06.

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

Comments (1)

Log in to comment on this match

No comments yet

Log in and be the first to start the conversation!

Show more comments