Defining the best League of Legends players is tough, with so many talented individuals constantly shaping the game.
Defining the best players in League of Legends is very difficult. First, there are five different roles in the game, which also means that a player can be outstanding in a position and not as good in the others. Aside from that, there is a vast doubt: what really defines the "best"? Is it legacy, achievements, or consistency over time? If it were possible to define it, a mix of all of these would combine into the best player in League of Legends.
The icons of League of Legends
It's important to remember the icons who shaped the game. Over its 15-year history, countless legendary players have left their mark on League of Legends as the best players, helping elevate it to a global phenomenon and inspiring fans around the world.
Kang "TheShy" Seung-lok
TheShy is a legendary South Korean top laner, known for his mechanical brilliance and fearless, high-risk playstyle. He rose to fame in the LPL with Invictus Gaming, leading them to a historic World Championship win in 2018. A hand injury sidelined him briefly in early 2019, and IG's decline eventually led to his move to Weibo Gaming in 2021. After stepping away from pro play in late 2023, TheShy made a highly anticipated return in 2025, rejoining IG in the LPL. Even if he is not in his prime, TheShy is still considered by many of the best players in League of Legends.
Jian "Uzi" Zi-Hao
Jian "Uzi" Zi-Hao is widely regarded as one of the greatest AD carries in League of Legends history. Known for his exceptional mechanics and flawless positioning, Uzi was the embodiment of a 1v9 carry. He inspired a generation of ADC players around the world, even without a Worlds title to his name. Forced to retire in 2020 due to health issues, his attempted comeback in 2022 became a major moment for the global League community.
Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok
It's impossible to talk about the most impactful players in League of Legends without mentioning Faker. The legendary South Korean mid-laner still commands one of the largest global fan bases and has been crucial in elevating League of Legends within the gaming industry. Widely regarded as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), Faker boasts an unmatched legacy with five World Championships, two MSI titles, and ten LCK domestic titles — a testament to his enduring dominance and influence on the game. He is known for his incredible macro gaming and crazy plays with champions like Ahri and Azir.
Who are the best players in each role?
Top lane
These days, many players are making their mark, but in the top lane, Choi "Zeus" Woo-je stands out as one of the best. He began his rise in the T1 Academy, quickly proving himself as a top-tier talent in South Korea. His career has been nothing short of remarkable, claiming two LoL World titles, an Esports World Cup victory, three domestic LCK titles, an LCK Cup, and most recently, winning the First Stand tournament with Hanwha Life Esports.
He is one of the most consistent players in the world. His almost perfect laning phase, team fights, game sense, and mechanics make him stand out in every team. Not only that, but he can easily adapt to any meta in League of Legends. In this role, Chen "Bin" Ze-Bin and Kim "Kiin" Gi-in also stand out as some of the best pro players out there.
Jungle
In recent years, two junglers have consistently stood out: Han "Peanut" Wang-ho and Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun. Peanut has cemented his legacy as one of the best junglers in League of Legends, securing an MSI, seven domestic titles, a KeSPA Cup, a LCK Cup, and the First Stand. With over a decade of experience, Peanut has always been known for his exceptional macro play and game sense. However, one of the few missing accomplishments from his illustrious career is a World Championship title, a trophy that has eluded him despite his many successes.
On the other hand, Oner is also regarded as one of the best junglers globally. With two LoL Worlds titles, an Esports World Cup, and four domestic LCK titles under his belt, Oner has proven himself time and again. His impressive game sense, versatility, pathing, and team-oriented play style have been pivotal in T1's back-to-back international triumphs.
Other top junglers like Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu, Seo "Kanavi" Jin-hyeok, and Yan "Wei" Yang-Wei have also made their mark, each bringing unique strengths to the jungle.
Related articles
Mid
It’s impossible to overlook Faker as one of the best mid laners in the world. His legacy continues to thrive with his incredible mechanics, exceptional macro game, strategic brilliance, and unmatched leadership. However, the mid-lane is brimming with talent, and one player who has been frequently dubbed the future prince of this role is Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon. Watching Faker and Chovy face off is akin to witnessing a World Championship final — a battle between two giants of the lane.
Chovy is renowned for his perfect laning phase, superb farming, high skill ceiling, and impeccable mechanics. He also possesses a remarkable ability to adapt to the meta, making him one of the most versatile and dominant mid-laners in the game today. The future of the midlane looks exceptionally bright, with not only Chovy but also other incredible talents like Kim "Zeka" Geon-woo, Lee "Scout" Ye-chan, and Zhuo "Knight" Ding.
Bot
Park "Viper" Do-hyeon and Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk have been at the center of one of the most storied rivalries in the bot lane. Both are considered two of the best AD carries in the world, known for their incredible mechanics and elite-level play.
Viper shines with his dominant laning phase, exceptional adaptability, sharp map awareness, and resilient mentality. His ability to outplay opponents in the early game and his strategic approach to team fights have made him a formidable presence in every match. On the other hand, Ruler is one of the most complete AD carries in the world, excelling in perfect positioning, team fighting, and communication. His consistency and ability to perform in high-pressure moments set him apart as a top-tier player. In the bot lane, we highlight Zhao "Elk" Jia-Hao and Kim "Peyz" Su-hwan among the best players.
Support
Support is always a difficult lane to stand out in. Yet, these two have been incredibly good at doing it: Ryu "Keria" Min-seok and Yoo "Delight" Hwan-joong are, with almost no doubt, the two best players in the support role of League of Legends. Keria has four domestic titles, an Asian Games, an Esports World Cup, and three LoL Worlds. He stands out as one of the best supports for his dynamic engages, team synergy, versatility, and enormous champion pool.
On the other side, Delight is a rising star. He has three domestic titles, a LCK Cup, and a First Stand. His solid laning phase, engage/disengage decisions, vision control, and peeling abilities make him a complete and versatile support player. Luo "ON" Wen-Jun has also been working his way up the ladder of the best supports in the world.
The community's love for T1
T1 has one of the biggest fan bases ever. With many international titles, the team has been growing a very supportive community. With such strong players, they have been showing off incredible matches in the last years. They are also responsible for bringing many viewers to domestic and international events. In South Korea, Gen.G and Hanwha Life have also been growing a lot in terms of viewership and community support.
In China, Bilibili Gaming has an enormous fan base, even after the end of the official Riot Games broadcast. The international fans have been super dedicated, translating Chinese content and even live streaming the games. In fact, the League of Legends analysts often pick either South Korean or Chinese teams as the most likely to win international events. The Asian supremacy in League of Legends is still undefeatable these days.
In Europe, G2 Esports and FNATIC keep going as the fans' favorites. However, Karmine Corp has been winning lots of fans in recent years. They showed great performances like The First Stand, where they ended up in second place. On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, FlyQuest and Team Liquid are still the most loved teams by the community. In the South, paiN Gaming and LOUD are the fans' favorites. In the LCP, we highlight CTBC Flying Oyster and GAM Esports as the teams with the most love from the community.
The G.O.A.T
Faker holds the record for the most titles in League of Legends, with a total of ten major championships. His consistency in his 12-year career has secured his spot as one of the best players in the world. He keeps showing great form, mechanical ceiling, and incredible mental nowadays, which makes him one of the best in the world. Even if he retires soon, we will have great players to honor his legacy in League of Legends.
That's all for now. Stick around for more League of Legends news, guides, and updates on esports.gg.