MSI 2024 will witness many changes in the format from Riot to enhance the appeal of a tournament that has often been seen as merely a “warm-up for the World Championship.” One of these changes is that a number of runner-up teams from Spring 2024 across the four Major regions will also have to compete in the Play-In stage like smaller and wildcard teams. However, with the recent draw results, it is completely understandable for teams like T1 and Top Esports to advance. Not to mention, these two names, alongside Bilibili Gaming and Gen.G, are the top four contenders for the MSI 2024 championship.
Of course, when a tournament that is considered the “playground of LPL” is held in the land of a billion people, LPL teams, specifically LPL, particularly BLG, will be the top contenders for the championship. This year’s BLG lineup is even more complete, as they brought Knight into the Mid Lane, and Elk and ON are performing increasingly well while Bin continues to maintain peak form. However, Bin recently made a notable statement right after winning the LPL Summer 2024 championship.
Specifically, the Top Laner of BLG shared: “Today’s win was a bit tense for us. But this is just the beginning for BLG. We have many titles to conquer this year. There’s MSI, the Summer Split, and the World Championship. We must achieve the Golden Road this year and become the first ‘full China’ team to win the World Championship.”
However, according to LPL fans, Bin has said something “taboo.” The evidence cited is the case of the powerful JD Gaming last year. In the 2023 season, JDG also aimed for the Golden Road with 4 titles in 2023. The reality later was clear to everyone: JDG suffered a humiliating 1-3 defeat to T1 and had to watch the championship stay in the land of the morning calm.
Currently, BLG may not be stronger than JDG last year, as players like Xun and Elk may struggle to compete with Kanavi and Ruler. Even Bin is merely “one nine one ten” with 369. Thus, a fan lamented: “Oh, he said that. It’s over. They will lose in the semifinals of the World Championship again. Did he forget that ‘all roads lead to’ Faker? Why mention the Golden Road? Stop saying that.”
But Bin has grounds to make such claims, and this player, like always, will strive to bring titles to his team. Nevertheless, Bin likely understands that every title will not be easy. Last year, BLG continuously faced failures at times when expectations were highest. Therefore, BLG will need to focus even more, especially when facing some of the strongest teams in the world today like Gen.G or T1.