After seven long years, Faker has finally secured his fourth World Championship. In spite of the long absence of World Championship victories, he has consistently been acknowledged as the greatest player in League of Legends. His legendary status was further solidified in 2023 when he secured his fourth Worlds win.

The Unkillable Demon King’s Legacy

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok is a synonymous figure with League of Legends, having dominated the international scene from its early days. While T1 has been consistently strong, they haven’t held the title of the absolute best for a considerable time, often losing it to other teams in finals or semifinals.

T1 demonstrated its prowess against LPL teams, winning every series against Chinese representatives at Worlds 2023, including Bilbili Gaming (2-0), LNG Esports (3-0), JD Gaming (3-1), and now, Weibo Gaming (3-0). T1 now holds an 11-1 win-loss record against the LPL, extending their impressive win streak.

Last year seemed promising for T1, but DRX pulled off a historic underdog run. With Faker’s earlier injury and T1’s performance decline, doubts arose about their qualification for Worlds 2023. However, Faker’s recovery and determined leadership led T1 to a remarkable comeback, marking it as one of the greatest in esports history.

Faker’s significance extends beyond his historical achievements; his absence on the bench revealed T1’s struggles without him. His return sparked a resurgence, and despite initial domestic losses, T1 improved throughout Worlds 2023, ultimately defeating Weibo Gaming in the finals.

? @T1LOL ARE THE 2023 WORLD CHAMPIONS! ? pic.twitter.com/Ixovr818cs

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 19, 2023

In the first game, despite early advantages for Weibo Gaming, T1 secured objectives and a significant lead, ultimately closing out the game. Game 2 saw T1 capitalizing on strong champion picks, dominating fights, and securing a decisive victory. The third game started with Weibo in control, but a key team fight turned the tide in T1’s favour, leading to a series-clinching win.

Although Faker played a crucial role, Choi “Zeus” Woo-je contributed significantly to the victory by consistently outperforming Weibo’s Kang “TheShy“ Seung-lok in the top lane. This performance was a notable improvement from MSI 2023, showcasing Zeus’s regained confidence and as a result, was rewarded with the Finals MVP title.

With Faker committed to T1 until 2025, he plans to continue competing at the highest level, rejecting any notions of retirement or coasting on his fame for a paycheck. Despite nearly a decade without a fourth title, Faker achieved it during one of T1’s toughest years. Looking ahead, he aims for a fifth title in 2024.

This victory is particularly noteworthy as reports suggested that the T1 roster might split after the tournament. Despite a defeat in Worlds 2022, T1 showcased their talent by bouncing back and claiming the championship in 2023, marking their return as League of Legends World Champions after seven years.