Bjergsen retires from LoL esports

April 8, 2023

LoL Esports

It’s a sad day for the Western world and LoL esports in general: mid lane legend Bjergsen officially retires and steps away from the scene.

Bjergsen retires from League

If you have been playing League for a long time, you probably know who Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg is and why he was considered one of the greatest players in the game’s history.

Not only was he considered the face of North America, but he was one of the few who had the talent and consistency to stay at the top of the game for years. Unfortunately, fans won’t be able to see him stepping on Summoners’ Rift anymore, as Bjergsen officially announced his retirement from LoL esports.

After losing to Golden Guardian in the latest LCS Spring playoffs, Bjergsen retires at the age of 27, closing the chapter on competitive League and his incredible career.

In his announcement video, Bjergsen went over what he thought allowed him to get to where he is now: “I worked harder than a lot of people, I wanted it more than a lot of those people, and I was willing to sacrifice time with friends, family, personal interests, hobbies, [and] really just anything. For a long time, I’ve felt—and even told the people around me—that if I didn’t feel like I could give my absolute all towards winning and being the best… then it would be time to stop, and it feels like that time is now.”

While some may treat this as a “second retirement” (Bjergsen transitioned to a head coach role after the end of 2020), this is effectively the first time he will be stepping away from esports in general.

“I just want to take some time away with friends and family, and I kinda want to see what life is like when my identity and all my time are tied up in League of Legends,” he said. “I don’t know if at some point I’ll return to League or the esports industry, but all I know is right now I’m going to take some time away and that I don’t know what the future holds and just be ok stepping into that uncertainty.”

Bjergsen and his special relationship with League

Bjergsen has had a deep connection with League ever since he was a teenager. He started professionally at 16 and it helped him deal with the bullying he encountered during that period.

“It really brought me out of a dark place,” he continued. “Initially, League was an escape for me and an escape from school, the bullying, and the struggles in life.”

Image Credits | Riot Games

League was an important life lesson for Bjergsen, as he was able to grow his confidence and learn that he can become competent and good at things as long as he’s putting effort into them.

“If it wasn’t for League, I don’t even know if I would be alive today, because I was very suicidal back then and didn’t see much reason for living so I pretty much owe everything that I have and the person I am today to League of Legends and my career in it,” he concluded.

Even though we won’t be seeing Bjergsen in the near future, his legacy will continue to thrive and inspire many fans and talents in the years to come. From struggling during his teenage days to becoming one of the most successful and greatest players in LoL history, we were able to witness the growth of a boy into one of the most charismatic personalities in esports.

Thank you, Bjergsen.