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Rookie Down: Excel Vetheo to step down from starting lineup following mental health concerns

Rookie Down: Excel Vetheo to step down from starting lineup following mental health concerns

League of Legends
24 Mar
Foo Zen-Wen

Vincent “Vetheo” Berrié of Excel Esports has announced his step down from the active roster due to mental health concerns. The starting midlaner has enjoyed a rising stardom since his explosion onto the LEC in late 2020 on Misfits Gaming. Replacing him will be veteran midlaner Felix “Abbedagge” Braun, who last played for 100 Thieves before returning to EMEA and Excel as a substitute at the start of 2023.

 

Troubled Mind

Excel Esports has confirmed that “Vetheo” has stepped back to focus on his mental well-being. The midlaner has been one of the fastest-rising stars in the region since his Misfits debut, however, it is evident that the recent Winter Split performance has taken its toll on his mental state.

The 20-year-old recently posted on a social media statement that ‘since the Winter Split’, he has been depressed and ‘doesn’t know how to get better if not winning.’

 

Poor Results

Excel finished dead last during the LEC 2023 Winter Split, posting a 1-8 scoreline that was even poorer than Fnatic. Considering some of the individual talent on the roster, it is a surprising end result for the roster. “Vetheo” himself has a record high of third place finish during the 2022 LEC Spring Regular Season, and finished 4th in the LEC Spring Playoffs in 2022- all while on Misfits.

According to LoL statistics aggregate gol.gg, “Vetheo” boasted a 4.1 KDA and overall kill participation of 68.1% in 2022. Compared to 2023, where he now has a KDA of 2.3 and whilst his Kill Participation has dipped marginally to 66.2%, his gold per minute has dropped significantly from 426 to 399 and he has played a grand total of 11 champions, 8 of which currently sit at a 0% winrate.

Winner of the LEC Spring 2022 MVP award, “Vetheo” has high hopes for himself and looks up to legendary Korean midlaner Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon. For him, a last place finish is nigh unacceptable.

 

Bring in the Veteran

To alleviate some of the pressure, Excel have subbed in seasoned contender and veteran midlaner “Abbedagge” to the starting roster to complete the 2023 Spring Split.

During his tenure on 100 Thieves between 2021 and 2022, “Abbedagge” led them to a LCS championship as well as a top 3 and 2 finish in the regular season in 2022. 100 Thieves also achieved 2nd place at the LCS 2022 championships in a near repeat performance of their 2021 achievement.

Despite his stellar performance throughout, “Abbedagge” found himself replaced and without a home when Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg came out of retirement and replaced him.

“Abbedagge” will be joining a floundering Excel, who currently hold a 2-4 record in the regular Spring split. The eye test favors “Abbedagge” to find more success than “Vetheo”, and should he do so, Excel will finally have a winning lane to alleviate some of the pressure from their sidelanes.

Image credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games

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