League of Legends isn’t just a game—it’s a cornerstone of esports that has produced some of the most iconic competitive moments in gaming history.
Since its debut in 2009, League of Legends has grown into one of the most-watched and celebrated esports, with tournaments like the World Championship drawing millions of viewers annually and offering life-changing prize pools.
What defines the best in League of Legends?
Besides the obvious League of Legends GOAT, several players deserve a spot on this list, whether for their outstanding mechanical skill or their impact on the scene.
Determining the top 10 requires a mix of objective achievements and subjective impact on the game. While some players can outperform others in a specific scenario, having them secure a major title or enable their team to thrive are important factors to take into consideration.
Because of this, I believe that these five criteria are crucial to determine the best League of Legends players:
- Mechanical Skill and Game Sense: The combination between a player’s mechanical skill and their overall game sense is a key factor in determining the best League of Legends players. Their performance can be gauged with a variety of metrics, the most important one being their kill/death ratios and win rates. This data was gathered from sources such as Liquipedia.
- Regional and International Achievements: Success in regional leagues like the LCK (Korea), LPL (China), LEC (Europe), and LCS (North America) play an important factor in this ranking, as well as players’ results in major championships like MSI (Mid-Season Invitational) and the Worlds (World Championship).
- Versatility and Adaptability: A player’s ability to perform at a high level despite changes in meta or their team composition proves their resilience and versatility. This ranking considers a League of Legends player’s ability to switch between heroes or even between roles.
- Historical Impact: What truly makes a League of Legends player stand out is the overall impact they had on the esports scene—whether because they brought innovative strategies, changed the meta, or because their mindset influenced an entire generation of players.
- Consistency and Longevity: I gave extra consideration to players who successfully reached the highest ranks over multiple seasons and years.
1. Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok (T1)
- Active since: 2013
- Role: Midlaner
- Career earnings: $1,800,000
No list of the best League of Legends players of all time could be complete without Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, who has been dominating the professional circuit for over a decade. Often referred to as “The Unkillable Demon King,” Faker has been playing as a Midlaner for T1 since 2013, and quickly established himself as one of the best League of Legends players.
Faker is the most decorated player in the history of the League of Legends. He holds a record of five World Championship titles, two MSI victories, and over ten LCK titles to his name. Lee’s unrivaled ability to adapt to meta shifts and maintain peak performance over a decade has earned him a reputation as not just a player but a symbol of League of Legends itself.
Faker’s signature moments, such as the outplay against Ryu in 2013 or his pentakill with LeBlanc during the LCK Spring 2015 remain some of the most iconic moments in esports history. In May 2024, Riot Games inducted Faker into the LoL Esports Hall of Legends, recognizing his achievements and impact on League of Legends.
Because of Faker’s influence on the global esports industry, the Korean is the undisputed number one in this ranking.
2. Ryu “Keria” Min-seok (T1)
- Active since: 2019
- Role: Support
- Career earnings: $546,000
Ryu “Keria” Min-seok is among the greatest League of Legends support players ever. He has been playing with T1 for over four years, winning the Worlds twice in a row and fighting head-to-head with Gen.G in the LCK. Keria has redefined the support role with his aggressive play style and synergy with his ADCs, particularly his partnership with Gumayusi.
What truly makes Keria stand out is his consistency and his ability to adapt to T1’s changing rosters while still delivering top-tier performances.
Though his career is still ongoing, Keria has already cemented his legacy as one of the most influential support players in the game’s history, helping redefine the expectations for his role.
3. Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk (Gen.G)
- Active since: 2016
- Role: Botlaner
- Career earnings: $815,000
Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk’s steady and reliable gameplay has made him a force in both the LCK and LPL. His breakout moment came in 2017 when he helped Samsung Galaxy secure the Worlds championship by defeating Faker’s T1 in the finals thanks to his iconic Varus ultimate in the late game.
Since then, Ruler has continued to showcase his skills, particularly with teams like JD Gaming, where he further established himself as one of the best League of Legends players of all time.
What sets Ruler apart is his longevity and adaptability. He was the second player, after Deft, to win all major League of Legends championships, taking the victory in Worlds 2017, LCK 2022 Summer, LPL 2023 Spring and MSI 2023.
Ruler is known for his exceptional positioning, enabling him to maximize his impact in late-game fights. His consistency and adaptability in high-stakes situations have kept him relevant in the competitive scene, earning him a nomination in The Game Awards 2023 in the Best Esports Athlete category.
4. Choi “Zeus” Woo-je (Hanwha Life)
- Active since: 2020
- Role: Toplaner
- Career earnings: $445,000
As one of the newer players on this list, Choi “Zeus” Woo-je quickly rose to prominence as one of the most dominant toplaners in the LCK. Zeus has made his mark with T1, consistently showing up as a key player in their recent success.
His flexibility and mastery of the top lane have been unparalleled for someone of his experience. With T1, Zeus secured two back-to-back victories in both the 2023 and 2024 Worlds, as well as the first place in the 2024 Esports World Cup.
At only 20, Zeus’ impact on T1’s performance and his potential to dominate the top lane scene for years to come make him one of the most exciting players in modern League of Legends.
5. Jian “Uzi” Zihao (Edward Gaming)
- Active since: 2012
- Role: Botlaner
- Career earnings: $551,000
Few players can claim the same level of fan adoration as Jian “Uzi” Zihao, the legendary ADC from China’s LPL. Known for his mechanical brilliance and aggressive play style, Uzi is regarded as one of the best League of Legends players of all time. With two LPL titles with RNG and his victory in MSI 2018, Uzi cemented his legacy as a player who could dominate both regionally and internationally.
Despite never securing a Worlds title, Uzi’s influence on the game remains profound. His ability to single-handedly carry games and his consistency under pressure have made him an icon of League of Legends, earning him respect from peers and fans alike.
However, while Uzi shines in the LPL, he struggles to make a lasting impression on the international stage, despite two appearances in the Worlds finals.
6. Kim “Deft” Hyeok-gyu (KT Rolster)
- Active since: 2013
- Role: Botlaner
- Career earnings: $534,000
Kim “Deft” Hyeok-gyu is widely regarded as one of the most talented ADCs in the world. His crowning achievement came in 2022 when he led DRX to win the World Championship, eight years after his first participation in this major championship.
With this victory, not only did Deft finally manage to claim his first Worlds title, but DRX became the first team to win the championship after starting from the play-in stage.
Throughout his decade-long career, Deft had highs and lows but always managed to bounce back and prove why he deserves to be considered one of the best. Deft was the first player to win all major League of Legends championships, taking the victory during LCL, LCK, MSI, and the World Championship.
7. Rasmus “Caps” Winther (G2 Esports)
- Active since: 2016
- Role: Mid/Botlaner
- Career earnings: $704,000
Rasmus “Caps” Winther has carried the torch for Europe in the international League of Legends scene, becoming one of the region’s most accomplished players. Known for his unpredictable play style and clutch factor, Caps has been instrumental in G2 Esports’ dominance, leading them to multiple LEC titles and a Worlds finals appearance in 2019.
The Dane’s ability to perform under pressure and adapt to various metas makes him one of the most versatile Midlaners in the world. Caps’ creativity and fearlessness have earned him a reputation as one of Europe’s all-time greats, dominating the top of LEC with G2 Esports.
8. Heo “ShowMaker” Su (Dplus KIA)
- Active since: 2017
- Role: Midlaner
- Career earnings: $398,000
Heo “ShowMaker” Su’s rise to fame came with DAMWON Gaming, with an impressive World Championship victory in 2020. Known for his cerebral approach to the game and impressive KDA, ShowMaker’s skill in positioning and ability to adapt has made him a key figure in the LCK and international tournaments.
ShowMaker’s gameplay and leadership helped DAMWON Gaming dominate the LCK for a few years. While his performance with his new team Dplus isn’t comparable to his past wins with DAMWON Gaming, his playmaking abilities firmly secure his place on the top 10 list.
9. Bae “Bengi” Seong-woong (Dplus KIA)
- Active between: 2013–2017
- Role: Jungle
- Career earnings: 811,000$
Bae “Bengi” Seong-woong’s contributions to League of Legends go beyond mechanics. As a Jungler for T1, he played a critical role in enabling Faker and securing three World Championships. Known for his strategic thinking and clutch plays, Bengi was often the backbone of T1’s success, executing perfectly timed ganks and providing vision control that allowed his team to dominate.
Bengi retired as a player in 2017, transitioning into a coaching role for T1. He further contributed to the success of T1 and passed on his knowledge to the next generation of players.
10. Jeong “Apdo” Sang-gil (Anarchy)
- Active since: 2013
- Role: All
- Career earnings: none
While Jeong “Apdo” Sang-gil, also known as Dopa, never pursued a professional career besides his days as a Midlaner for Anarchy, his dominance in solo queue is unmatched. Frequently reaching the top of the ranked ladder in both Korean and Chinese SoloQ with a large range of heroes, Apdo has been hailed as one of the best players in League of Legends history.
His deep understanding of macro play and decision-making has influenced countless professional players, making Apdo deserve a mention in this list despite not being a professional player himself.
What it takes to become a LoL legend
Becoming one of the best League of Legends players of all time takes a mix of skill, dedication, and the ability to adapt to constant changes in the game.
The players on this list didn’t just excel individually, but they had a major impact on their team and influenced how the game is played. From mastering their roles to leading their teams in high-stakes matches, they’ve each brought something unique to the Rift.
