Maciej “Shushei” Ratuszniak, a trailblazer in Polish esports 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.
The news was shared publicly by his sister, Dorota Jasieniecka, who posted a heartfelt message on Facebook:
“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.
A Legacy in Esports
Shushei’s esports career began with teams like All Against Authority and myRevenge before he joined the renowned Fnatic roster in 2011. As the team’s 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 innovative playstyle, Shushei popularized unconventional mid-lane champions such as Gragas and Alistar, leaving a lasting impact on the game’s meta. His contributions were commemorated by Riot Games through the creation of a special Gragas skin inspired by him.
After 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 in the gaming community through streaming and participation in events like the 2014 BlizzCon Heroes of the Storm show matches.
Community Tributes
Shushei’s passing has elicited an outpouring of tributes from the global esports community. Fnatic, his former team, confirmed his death and acknowledged his significant contributions to the early competitive scene of League of Legends.
Yesterday we lost a legend in Shushei.
— FNATIC (@FNATIC) April 29, 2025
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 🧡 pic.twitter.com/A2JPtFSb6t
Fans and fellow players have taken to social media platforms to share memories and express condolences, highlighting Shushei’s role in inspiring a generation of esports enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Maciej “Shushei” Ratuszniak’s influence on the esports landscape, particularly within Poland, is indelible. As a pioneer and champion, his legacy continues to inspire players and fans alike. His passing marks a significant loss to the gaming community, but his contributions will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
