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IG Rookie still has something to prove after Worlds 2026 exit: "I'll keep playing as long as I can"
After almost a month of competition, Worlds 2026 nears its conclusion. In the tournament's first semifinal, two of the best League of Legends teams faced off for a place in the Grand Finals, which will now take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, after moving from Texas.
In an intense elimination series, Invictus Gaming gave everything they had to stop Gen.G's momentum, but the Korean team had already secured a 2-0 lead.
Despite building a considerable advantage in the third game, IG couldn't turn things around and prevent Gen.G from closing out the series.
Following the match, Strafe Esports spoke with Song "Rookie" Eui-jin about the series, his long career in League of Legends, and what it meant to return to the semifinals of an international tournament after so many years of competing.
Today was a tough day for IG, but reaching the semifinals again after seven years must still mean a lot to you. How does it feel to be back at this stage after such a long time?
"There are so many valuable takeaways from this experience. We learned a lot about the game itself and things outside of it. These lessons allowed us to take things step by step and make it this far.
I'm sad that we didn't manage to achieve the best results, but we still learned a lot throughout the process. I also think we left some good impressions, which could make things a little easier for us in the future.
I'm not sure what the future holds, but hopefully, after this whole journey, we can continue learning and become better players."
You've inspired an entire generation of mid laners, including Chovy himself. How does it feel to see players like him and the new generation thriving at the highest level?
"First of all, it means a lot to me to see players like myself and the new generation of mid laners competing on the same stage. People often say that you can't keep competing with others as you get older, but I don't think that's the case.
Even though I'm the oldest, I'm still competing at this level today. Chovy and the other mid laners from the new generation are all very good players. I've always thought highly of Chovy, and I'm also very happy to see him win today's match and achieve the result he was hoping for.
I hope the other LPL teams will continue to work hard in the future. I'm now supporting BLG, and I hope they do well in the tournament."
Throughout your career, you've played alongside many different generations of players. What has kept you motivated to keep competing while the game and the competitive scene continue to change?
"The biggest motivation behind my career is that I've dedicated my entire youth to this. League of Legends has brought me so much, both personally and professionally. I love this game. I love this industry. Maybe that's why I'm still here today.
Another reason is my fans. Their support has played a big part in allowing me to continue my career.
Finally, there's the fact that I'm getting older. People often say that being older puts you at a disadvantage compared to younger players, but I don't think that's true.
I've always wanted to prove myself, and I believe that as I've gotten older, I've had more time to develop new ideas and find ways to improve myself. That's what has kept me competing for so many years."
When you think about the Rookie who played his last Worlds semifinal in 2019, what has changed the most about you, both as a player and as a person?
"My mentality has changed a lot over the years. I've become more mature and less childish. Now, I'm just an ordinary middle-aged guy who plays League of Legends."
Do you still see yourself competing at the highest level in the coming years? What do you think the future holds for you as a player?
"As long as my physical condition allows me to keep playing, I will definitely give it my all. This year has given me even more motivation to continue my career. Worlds is such an exciting stage for professional players, and I think it's an incredible experience for everyone competing there.
After this year, I want to achieve the best possible results. I'll continue working hard and improving myself from now on."
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Featured image credit: Yicun Liu/Riot Games
Read More:
Chovy Reaches First Worlds Final in Eighth Consecutive Appearance
Gen.G Become First Team to Reach Worlds 2026 Final After 3-0 Sweep of IG
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