League of Legends pro Rookie steps down from Invictus Gaming
Riot GamesReigning League of Legends world champion Song ‘Rookie’ Eul-jin, has officially stepped down from Invictus Gaming’s active LPL roster, following the news of an unwell family member.
It came as a shock to many Chinese League of Legends fans when iG announced that their star player was going to be stepping back from active competition, with substitute mid laner Forge taking his place on the starting roster.
Invictus Gaming detailed that the reason for Rookie’s absence from their future Chinese LPL matches was due to concerns about one of his family member’s health condition.
Rookie was among the Invictus Gaming line-up which crushed Fnatic 3-0 in the Worlds 2018 final.Rookie is expected to return and stay in Korea long term for the first time in almost 5 years, since he signed to the Chinese roster in December 2014.
As of yet, it is unknown when Rookie will return to compete again for Invictus, although he will be a massive loss to the team during his absence from the starting roster.
Due to member of family health condition Rookie will be back to Korea to take care of his family, iG will be playing their academy team mid Xin (new ID: iG. Forge). Date of when Rookie will be back is unknown. pic.twitter.com/SbLH1IYln0
— Ran (@ran_lpl) June 13, 2019
Rookie has often been brought up in conversation for best player in the world alongside the likes of Faker, with many fans even claiming that he is one the most mechanically skilled LoL players of all time.
He was regarded as one of the best players in 2018 after his incredible performances all year in the LPL, as well as leading Invictus Gaming’s roster to a 3-0 win over Fnatic in the grand finals of Worlds 2018.
Invictus Gaming are expected to be without their star mid-laner for the rest of their regular Summer Split 2019 season matches, although fans are hoping for him to return in time for Summer Playoffs to qualify for Worlds 2019.