LEC Hits Historic Low: Worst MSI Performance of All Time

7 Jul

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

Though MSI 2025 is not over yet, the tournament has already proven to be historic for the LEC and Europe as a whole, and not for the right reasons. After the region's representatives of G2 Esports and Movistar KOI bombed out of the MSI 2025 Playoffs, this became the first time ever that the LEC (or EU LCS) finishes outside the top six in MSI history.

A Disappointing Run

There is little that can be said to redeem the LEC's run at MSI 2025. Putting aside the fact that G2 Esports only just managed to qualify for the next stage after taking down FURIA and GAM Esports in tight 5-game-series back-to-back, the region's showing in the Playoffs was disappointing, to say the least.

G2 and MKOI failed to win a single Bracket Stage series, going 0-4 with losses to Gen.G, FlyQuest, Bilibili Gaming, and CTBC Flying Oyster. Perhaps the worst part, though, is that the LEC's combined game record at the MSI 2025 Playoffs finished at 3-12; demonstrating the teams' inability to fight back in their losses.

G2 Esports' journey at MSI 2025 had little to show for it. (Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)

The Worst MSI Ever

With the region's run at MSI 2025 coming to an end, the tournament proved to be the worst MSI showing in history for the LEC. In terms of placing, Europe had never finished outside the top six at MSI. That is, until now.

Here's a complete list showing just how far LEC (or EU LCS, as it was known before the rebrand) teams made it at each and every MSI. The list takes into consideration only the highest placed team from the region:

MSI 2015: 3rd-4th (Fnatic)
MSI 2016: 5th (G2 Esports)
MSI 2017: 2nd (G2 Esports)
MSI 2018: 3rd-4th (Fnatic)
MSI 2019: Champions (G2 Esports)
MSI 2021: 3rd-4th (MAD Lions)
MSI 2022: 3rd-4th (G2 Esports)
MSI 2023: 5th-6th (G2 Esports)
MSI 2024: 4th (G2 Esports)
MSI 2025: 7th-8th (G2 Esports and Movistar KOI)

Admittedly, this is only the third MSI tournament to use the current double-elimination bracket system for the playoffs, which includes a total of 8 teams. This, however, does not change the fact that the LEC as a whole had never finished quite so far from the trophy as they did now at MSI 2025.

What's Next for the LEC?

Now that the region's journey at MSI has come to an end, it's time to start looking ahead. Worlds 2025 looms on the horizon as the final international tournament of the year. But first, teams must lock in for the start of the Summer Split.

Can Karmine Corp return to the level displayed earlier in the season when they managed to make it all the way to the Grand Finals at First Stand? Will the addition of Poby see Fnatic become a European powerhouse once more? From roster moves to the addition of a new team to the league, there is much to be excited about for the start of the LEC Summer Split 2025.

The most important thing to keep an eye out for, though, will be whether the region as a whole can elevate their level of play ahead of the final, and most important, international test of the season.

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Featured image credit: Liu YiCun/Riot Games

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