Gumayusi’s Departure Could Be A Major Mistake For T1
As we know, recently, T1 parted ways with Gumayusi – the only AD Carry in the history of League of Legends to have won the World Championship 3 times in a row and has one FMVP title – an achievement that even previous legends like Uzi or Bang could not accomplish. Although the farewell to Gumayusi was reportedly announced in advance and both parties agreed, T1 may have made a significant mistake.
First, Gumayusi’s departure could disrupt the familiar system that T1 has had for so long. Among all the AD Carries who have duoed, Gumayusi has been the longest-serving member alongside Keria in his career so far. Gumayusi has helped maximize Keria’s playstyle (free movement, map control, and frequent roaming ganks). Therefore, no matter who the new partner is, Keria will have to adapt from scratch.
Next, on the morning of November 18 (Vietnam time), T1 also announced the departure of Smash. Right below the post, not only Vietnamese fans but also the international T1 community expressed confusion. Earlier this year, T1 had brought Smash in to replace Gumayusi, leading to numerous subsequent troubles. However, in the end, T1 still did not keep this player. Thus, this can be seen as an implicit statement from T1: Smash is not capable of playing for the main team, but they were willing to “sacrifice” Gumayusi to prove this point.
T1 Will Almost Have to Start Over in 2026 After Parting with Gumayusi
As mentioned above, Gumayusi’s time at T1 was not short; in fact, it was the longest among all AD Carries who have worn the “red dynasty” jersey. Therefore, the newcomer (likely Peyz) will have to not only adapt to T1’s playstyle but also prove himself capable of replacing Gumayusi. Gumayusi’s former teammates, especially Keria, will have to start over with a new playstyle that suits Peyz.
This change could bring new results for T1. But if things take a negative turn, this could be one of the historic mistakes that will be remembered in the League of Legends community in the future.