Lee Sang-hyeok (28), better known as “Faker,” the South Korean professional League of Legends (LoL) player from the esports organization T1, has once again taken the global stage, solidifying his legendary status in esports. On Nov. 3 (KST), Lee led T1 to a 3-2 victory over China’s Bilibili Gaming (BLG) in the grand final of the 2024 League of Legends World Championship at London’s O2 Arena, securing his fifth championship title—a record unmatched in the game’s history.
With numerous titles such as “Unkillable Demon King,” “Esports Living Legend,” and “Best Mid Lane Player of All Time,” Lee is often likened to global sports icons like Lionel Messi and Michael Jordan in the gaming world. His in-game name, “Faker,” has become synonymous with the “GOAT”—short for “Greatest of All Time” among esports fans worldwide.
In this historic championship, Lee competed with teammates Choi Woo-je (Zeus), Moon Hyeon-joon (Oner), Lee Min-hyung (Gumayusi), and Ryu Min-seok (Keria)—a team that previously took second place in the League of Legends World Championship in 2022 and claimed first in both 2023 and 2024. With individual titles from 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024, Lee has achieved an unparalleled fifth championship victory. His closest competitor, retired player Bae Sung-woong (31), known as Bengi, holds three League of Legends World Championship titles. This year’s final also earned Lee his second MVP award, making him the only player to achieve this honor twice.
Since his professional debut at 17 in 2013, Lee has been a cornerstone of global esports. While younger players typically dominate the scene, his longevity and exceptional skill make him stand out, even as many of his peers shift into coaching or commentary roles.
Lee’s influence extends beyond gaming; in 2023, he was named among The Times’ “Top 10 Sports Powers,” appearing alongside icons like Lionel Messi and MLB star Shohei Ohtani. While his exact earnings are undisclosed, industry estimates place his annual income at around 10 billion won (approximately $7.29 million), making him South Korea’s highest-paid esports athlete. Remarkably, he turned down a $20 million annual salary (then 24.5 billion won) from a Chinese team in the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) two years ago, choosing to focus on skill development and personal growth over financial gain.
Honored as the first inductee into the “Hall of Legends,” League of Legends Esports’ hall of fame, Lee was celebrated by the game’s developer, Riot Games, which set up a temporary “Faker Temple” in Seoul this past May and June to commemorate his career milestones. Chinese fans call him ‘Mountain High, River Long,’ symbolizing his remarkable skill and resilience. This year’s League of Legends World Championship final, featuring Lee, drew a record 6.94 million viewers, making it the most-watched event in esports history.
With a career record of 964 wins and 469 losses, translating to a 67.3% win rate, Lee’s statistics rank alongside the achievements of other sporting legends, such as Michael Jordan’s 65.9% NBA win rate (706 wins, 366 loses) and Lionel Messi’s 67.8% record in soccer (732 wins, 208 draws, 140 losses). Among esports commentators, there is a common refrain: ‘The era of League will end with Faker’s retirement.’ Alongside his five League of Legends World Championship titles, Lee’s accolades include 10 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) titles, the inaugural League of Legends Esports World Cup (EWC), and a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games. His fifth League of Legends World Championship victory further cements his legacy as a titan in competitive gaming.”
☞ League of Legends (LoL)
League of Legends (LoL) is a globally popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where two teams of five players compete to dismantle the opposing team’s base. Originally launched in 2009 by American developer Riot Games, owned by Tencent Holdings, a Chinese multinational conglomerate, LoL has become a cultural phenomenon, with a monthly player base exceeding 100 million worldwide.
