Legendary Polish League of Legends competitor, Shushei, passes away at 36 after a lengthy fight with cancer.
Polish Esports Pioneer Maciej "Shushei" Ratuszniak Passes Away
April 29, 2025 - Bydgoszcz, Poland - Maciej "Shushei" Ratuszniak, a trailblazer in the Polish esports scene and the sole Polish player to secure a League of Legends World Championship title, passed away on April 28, 2025, at the age of 36. His family confirmed that his death resulted from a brief yet intense battle with cancer.
In a heartfelt message on Facebook, his sister, Dorota Jasieniecka, announced the tragic news: "Yesterday, my brother's heart stopped, breaking many hearts in the process. Maciej Ratuszniak, beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle. Friend... Lover of his dogs, Saito and Yuno. Shushei, passionate gamer and League of Legends world champion, passed away on April 28 after a short but fierce fight with cancer."
Shushei's funeral is scheduled for May 5 at 12:00 PM in the chapel of the Church of the Resurrection in Bydgoszcz.
In the prime of his career, Shushei made a name for himself in the competitive League of Legends arena. His esports journey began with teams like All Against Authority and myRevenge before he joined the renowned Fnatic roster in 2011, where he rose to prominence as their mid-laner. He played a pivotal role in securing victory at the inaugural League of Legends World Championship, earning the tournament's MVP title.
Known for his unconventional playstyle, Shushei preferred playing non-standard mid-lane champions such as Gragas and Alistar, leaving a lasting impact on the game's meta. His contributions were immortalized by Riot Games through the creation of a special Gragas skin inspired by him.
Following his tenure with Fnatic, Shushei played for various teams, including DragonBorns, Pulse Esports, EloHell, IwantCookie, Venatores, and Team ESC PRO. He retired from professional play in 2013 but remained active within the gaming community through streaming and participation in events like the 2014 BlizzCon Heroes of the Storm show matches.
Upon learning the sad news, the esports community voiced their condolences and tributes on social media platforms, highlighting Shushei's impact on a generation of esports enthusiasts. Fnatic, his former team, acknowledged his significant contributions to the early competitive scene of League of Legends.
"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 begun the Fnatic LoL fandom for so many of our fans. Our thoughts are with his friends and family," Fnatic posted on Twitter.
Shushei's influence on the esports landscape, particularly within Poland, is indelible. His legacy as a pioneer and champion will inspire fellow players and fans for years to come, though his absence leaves a significant void in the gaming community.
AI could analyze the sentiment of condolences and tributes posted about Shushei on social media platforms, tracking the spread of grief and respect across various sports communities.
The esports sports community is in mourning, with many discussing the impact that the passing of League of Legends world champion, Shushei, will have on the future of sports in space.
