League of Legends Champion Shushei Dies at 36

Maciej 'Shushei' Ratuszniak, a League of Legends World Champion, has died at age 36 after battling cancer.

The Polish player was a key member of the Fnatic team that won the first-ever League of Legends World Championship in 2011.

According to a Facebook post shared by his sister on April 28, Shushei passed away "after a short and fierce battle with cancer." His sister wrote:

"Yesterday my brother's heart stopped, breaking so many hearts. Maciej Ratuszniak, beloved husband, son, brother, and friend. Lover of his dogs, Saito and Yuno."

The news has saddened the entire gaming community. Fnatic, his former team, posted on X (formerly Twitter):

"Yesterday we lost a legend in Shushei. Shushei was part of the incredible Fnatic team that won the first ever League of Legends World Championships back in 2011 that began the Fnatic LoL fandom for so many of our fans."

Shushei was not just any player - he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) at that first World Championship. He became famous for using champions like AP Alistar and Gragas in ways other players hadn't thought of before. His creative gameplay changed how many approached the game.

To honor his contributions, Riot Games created a special Fnatic Gragas skin that players can still get in the game today.

Eefje 'Sjokz' Depoortere, a well-known League of Legends host, described him as "one of the first greats of our game," adding that he was "way too young to go."

Even Riot Games co-founder Marc 'Tryndamere' Merrill shared his memories, writing on Reddit: "RIP Shushei – I'll always remember your cheerful attitude and wonderful smile. Gragas barrel FTW."

Shushei's gaming career started with teams like All Against Authority and myRevenge before joining Fnatic in 2011. After leaving Fnatic, he played for several other teams including DragonBorns, Pulse Esports, and Team ESC PRO. He retired from professional play in 2013 but stayed connected to gaming through streaming and special events.