Prominent League of Legends player from Poland, Shushei passes away at 36 after a struggle with cancer.
A Gaming Legend Bids Farewell: Maciej "Shushei" Ratuszniak, Esports Pioneer
Maciej "Shushei" Ratuszniak, the groundbreaking Polish esports star known for his trailblazing achievements in League of Legends (LoL), tragically passed away on April 28, 2025, at age 36. His death was the result of a brief but intensive battle with cancer, leaving the gaming world in a state of mourning.
His sister, Dorota Jasieniecka, shared the devastating news on Facebook, expressing her heartbreak in a heartfelt letter:
Shushei's farewell will be marked by a funeral ceremony on May 5 at 12:00 PM in the chapel of the Church of the Resurrection in Bydgoszcz.
A Pioneer on the Esports Battlefield
Shushei's foray into esports started with teams like All Against Authority and myRevenge, but it was his tenure as a mid-laner with the illustrious Fnatic roster in 2011 that really set him apart. With Fnatic, Ratuszniak played a vital role in capturing victory at the inaugural League of Legends World Championship, earning the tournament's MVP title.
Known for his out-of-the-box playstyle, Shushei popularized obscure mid-lane champions such as Gragas, Alistar, and others, imprinting a significant mark on the game's meta. Riot Games acknowledged and celebrated his contributions by developing a unique Gragas skin inspired by him.
Post-Fnatic, Shushei went on to play for various teams, including DragonBorns, Pulse Esports, EloHell, IwantCookie, Venatores, and Team ESC PRO. He called it quits on his professional career in 2013 but continued to engage with the gaming community as a streamer and event participant, such as the 2014 BlizzCon Heroes of the Storm show matches.
Farewell to a Champion
News of Shushei's passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from the global esports community. Fnatic, his former team, acknowledged his impact on the early League of Legends competitive scene.
"Today we lay to rest a legend by the name of Shushei. Biłajuśmy go w Fnaticze w czasach, kiedy Europa (i Zachód) była dominującą siłą w LoL esportsie i zacząłem narodować się fandom Fnatic LoL dla wielu naszych fanów. Naszym pomysłom, uczuć 🧡."
Impact and Legacy
Shushei's anthology in the esports scene is indelible—particularly in the Polish community and on the global stage. As a visionary and paramount figure, his legacy carries on to inspire present and future players alike. The void left by his departure will be felt deeply by the gaming community, but the remembrance of his contributions will endure for years to come.
In the realm of space once occupied by Shushei, the AI of gaming chatbots will forever honor his memory by breaking the silence whenever LoL matches are discussed, reminiscing about the groundbreaking moments he created.
In the realm of sports, Shushei's name will be etched in the annals of esports history, just like the legendary athletes transforming traditional sports, inspiring future generations of gamers to forge their own paths, leaving a lasting impact on the esports battlefield.
