The competitive League of Legends landscape recently suffered a massive shock. After conquering the world for the third consecutive time, the sudden news that Gumayusi leaves T1 caught many global fans by surprise.
The marksman decided to seek new challenges after nearly six years of dedication to the organization. Now, the team must find a worthy replacement, while the community celebrates the incredible legacy left by the player.
Gumayusi leaves T1: The legacy of a three-time world champion
The confirmation that Gumayusi leaves T1 marks the conclusion of one of the most victorious cycles in esports history. The player communicated his decision immediately following a historic performance.
On Sunday, November 9th, he secured the world title and even received the MVP award in the final against KT Rolster. However, even at his absolute peak, the athlete chose not to renew his contract.
He utilized his social media channels to say goodbye to the fanbase. In his message, Gumayusi thanked them for the unconditional support and promised to meet fans again in the future, but wearing a different jersey.
The organization also published an emotional official statement. Thus, the mutual respect between the club and the player who has represented the tag since late 2019 remains evident.
This change profoundly impacts the team’s structure. After all, Gumayusi assumed the starting role in 2019, replacing the legendary Teddy. Since then, he formed an iconic duo with support player Keria.
Together, they dominated the bot lane and achieved impressive feats. The marksman competed in five World Championships for T1. Furthermore, he accumulated significant results, such as the semifinals in 2021 and a runner-up finish in 2022.
Subsequently, he reached the pinnacle of his career. The player won the World Championship three times in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons. Consequently, he became the first in his role to lift the trophy so many times.
Therefore, when we hear that Gumayusi leaves T1, we understand that a golden era has ended. T1 loses not only a mechanical genius but a fundamental piece of its leadership and recent history.
2025 challenges and Peyz’s arrival
Although the year ended with glory, the 2025 season presented immense difficulties before the news surfaced that Gumayusi leaves T1. The beginning of the year brought significant instability to the roster.
The player faced low moments and even lost his starting spot temporarily. The coaching staff chose to test Sin “Smash” Guem-jae, from the academy team, during a critical phase.
However, Gumayusi reclaimed his post with resilience. Nevertheless, the team suffered a runner-up finish at MSI against Gen.G and a third-place finish at the Esports World Cup.
Additionally, the path to Worlds 2025 proved arduous. T1 failed in the direct seed competition in the LCK and had to start the tournament from the play-in stage. Yet, this journey of overcoming odds made the title even more valuable.
Now, with the spot open, the market speculates on the future. Reports from Sheep Esports indicate that Kim “Peyz” Su-hwan may assume the position in 2026. The young marksman possesses an enviable resume.
Peyz developed in the Gen.G system and won three LCK titles. Currently, he represents JD Gaming in the LPL, but he emerges as the primary option to maintain the level of the six-time world champions.
The responsibility of replacing an idol is gigantic. The fanbase will certainly compare the performance of the new signing with the former starter. Therefore, the pressure on Peyz will be immediate.
In summary, the fact that Gumayusi leaves T1 alters the entire balance of power in international League of Legends. We must wait to see how the organization adapts to this new reality in 2026.
