Leo “Leo” Jannesson’s exit from VALORANT’s esports scene left a void that FNATIC won’t easily fill. Widely regarded among the top Initiators, his impeccable timing, clutch decisions, and calm map control set a benchmark that few could match. His departure stings less for the trophies lost than for the standard he set.

Join us as we look back at one of VALORANT’s all-time greatest players. Despite his relatively short career, we’ll explore Leo’s rise to stardom, game impact, and legacy.

Who Is Leo Jannesson In VALORANT?

Leo Jannesson is a Swedish VALORANT pro best known for his mastery with info-gathering Initiators like Sova and Fade. He made his debut with Guild Esports around October 2020 at only 16 years old. He joined as one of the younger players, playing alongside veterans bonkar, Sayf, Yacine, and Trexx, among others.

During his tenure with Guild, Leo quickly began to make a name for himself in regional EMEA Challengers events. By 2022, he had already started breaking through into larger international tournaments.

How Did Leo Become One Of VALORANT’s Top Initiators?

Early Career Struggles

Leo’s early days with Guild were isolated to mostly EMEA Challengers and local qualifiers, matches that provided less spotlight but tons of growth. He would eventually be recognized for his consistency on the circuit—not always through flashy plays, but through smart util usage that swung entire rounds for his team.

As Leo honed his craft with Guild in 2021, his stats became increasingly scary. He played a key role in victories over giants like FNATIC, FUT Esports, and Ninjas in Pyjamas. In addition, he also became the driving force behind the team’s many podium finishes that year.

In 2022, Guild qualified for VALORANT Masters Copenhagen after Leo, playing mainly Sova, put on a masterclass at VCT 2022 Stage 2 Challengers. When Guild beat Team Liquid and BIG in the Group Stages, Leo had excellent stats. In one map against Liquid, Leo had a 1.35 K/D and an ACS of ~260.

Breakthrough Moments

Leo’s breakout moment on the international stage came at VALORANT Masters Copenhagen 2022. Guild was placed in “The Group of Death,” facing off against established names like OpTic and LOUD. However, Guild shocked fans by sweeping OpTic 2-0 in their first international match in the Group Stage.

While the team’s Playoff run was short-lived, it marked a historic win. It was the first time a debuting team defeated the reigning VALORANT champions, with OpTic coming off a clean win at Masters Reykjavik. Despite being ill, Leo was instrumental in that upset.

That winning moment 🤤
🥶 @leojannesson 🥶#VALORANTMasters pic.twitter.com/8pu3thixar

— Guild Gaming (@guildesports) July 10, 2022

After his victory against OpTic, Leo said, “It feels great proving people wrong. Both these teams have been to several LANs, but they were [at] the same level as the people we play back at home. We know how good we are and I’m glad we showed it.”

In the Group Stage match against KRÜ in Copenhagen, Guild pulled off a dramatic victory to secure a spot in the Knockout Stage, with Leo named match MVP. While they eventually fell in the Playoffs to the eventual winners FPX and runners-up PRX, it wasn’t before the world witnessed his talent.

Leo And FNATIC’s 2023 Success

In October 2022, FNATIC signed Leo to their superstar roster, creating one of the most iconic teams of all time. By 2023, FNC had enjoyed one of the most successful seasons of any team that year, winning two of the three international majors.

What’s more, Leo had some of the best individual stats year-round—at the tender age of 19! His performance at LOCK//IN São Paulo saw him execute 13 clutches throughout the event, with a 27% success rate. He finished LOCK//IN with a 1.41 KD, playing Sova, Fade, and Sage.

Leo also ensured FNATIC dominated locally in EMEA that year, finishing second at the 2023 EMEA League before putting on a convincing performance at Masters Tokyo. The team only lost one map throughout the entire event, beating Evil Geniuses 3-0 in the Grand Final.

Once again, Leo had outstanding individual stats, and despite FNC finding only a fourth-place finish at Champions that year, he had already cemented his legacy as one of the best VALORANT players of all time.

The Beginning Of The End

After FNC’s fourth-place finish at VALORANT Champions 2023, the team won Red Bull Home Grounds #4 during the off-season. However, 2024 began with a rough start. They missed out on Masters Madrid, but recovered locally by triumphing at Stage 1 EMEA and qualifying for Masters Shanghai.

Though they failed to make a deep run in China, this event would be the last time Leo appeared on the global stage. In June 2024, he stepped down from active play due to ongoing health issues but remained an inactive member of the roster with the hope of recovering.

Unfortunately, his hopes of making a full recovery were not realized, resulting in his eventual retirement from competitive play on September 10, 2025.

Tributes From Peers & Teammates

After Leo stepped away from the VALORANT competitive scene, many of his teammates and peers spoke about his impact as both a player and a person. FNATIC’s IGL Jake “Boaster” Howlett talked about how proud he was, writing on X:

“Proud to have been your IGL and your teammate. Numero uno won’t be forgotten. No living in the past either!!”

His fellow FNC team member Alfajer added:

“Such amazing years together, such a good friend… thanks for all the things [we’ve] been through together.” Former FNATIC coach Jacob “mini” Harris also had something to say: “Leo set the standard for how great VALORANT should be played and most still don’t come close.”

FNC’s former coach, Jacob “mini” Harris, wrote:

“Truly depressing. Leo set the standards for how great VALORANT should be played and most still don’t come close.”

Why Did FNATIC’s Leo Retire From VALORANT?

In June 2024, Leo was placed on inactive status by FNATIC due to worsening health issues. Following an earlier COVID-19 infection, he developed long COVID, which led to him experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and frequent headaches.

These issues made practice and competition increasingly unsustainable. On September 10, 2025, FNATIC announced that Leo would be stepping down from competitive VALORANT indefinitely.

After 3 years of last minute clutches, two international trophies and being an undisputable fan favourite, we wish farewell to @leojannesson.

Whilst the last year hasn’t been what we or Leo had hoped for, we are incredibly proud that Leo’s career was with us and for all the… pic.twitter.com/8yWMyBxm5O

— FNATIC (@FNATIC) September 10, 2025

Will Leo Ever Return To VALORANT?

As of September 2025, Leo has officially retired from competitive VALORANT after parting ways with FNATIC, citing health reasons. There had been earlier hope for a recovery, but there are no public indications of a near-term comeback at this time.

Leo’s return to pro play seems unlikely given his health challenges. However, there’s still hope he will remain in the VALORANT scene, either through content creation, analysis, coaching, or another role.

FAQ

Why Can't Leo Play VALORANT?

Leo suffers from long COVID symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and concentration issues that prevent him from competing.

Is Leo Still Part Of FNATIC?

No, his contract ended on September 10, 2025, after spending a year on FNATIC’s inactive roster.

Is Leo Retiring From VALORANT?

Yes, he officially stepped away from competitive play in September 2025.

What Tournaments Did Leo Win With FNATIC?

Leo was victorious at VCT 2023 LOCK//IN São Paulo, VCT 2023 Masters Tokyo, and VCT 2024 EMEA Stage 1.

What Role Did Leo Play In VALORANT?

Leo primarily played Initiators and was known for his mastery of Sova and Fade, although he did play other agents like Breach and Sage on occasion.

Will Leo Return To The VCT?

No return is currently expected due to his health challenges, though the future remains uncertain.

References

1. Paris Final Boss on X (X)
2. mini on X (X)
3. FNATIC on X (X)