Faker: Lee Sang-hyeok biography, family, net worth, League of Legends domination, South Korean unbeaten streak
- While most players would be winding down their pro careers at age 25, Lee is eyeing a record fourth world title
- From high school dropout to the sport’s unanimous GOAT, here’s how Faker is defying logic once again
He has been dubbed the Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi of League of Legends (LoL), but what distinguishes Lee Sang-hyeok is there is no debate – he is undoubtedly the best to ever do it in his field.
Better known as “Faker”, the South Korean mid-laner boasts three World Championships (two MVP awards), two midseason invitationals (MSI), nine national titles, and a highlight reel of the most iconic one-on-ones in the game’s history.
Lee’s gamer tag is synonymous with mind-blowing plays – just as backyard ballers yell ‘Kobe’ after a tricky jumpshot – and his official nickname is “Unkillable Demon King”.
At just 25 years old, Lee’s ceiling would appear endless in any other sport. But longevity is rare in LoL – mid-twenties is considered teetering on the sell-by date – and players tend to retire soon after owing to slower reflexes and adaptability.
So imagine everyone’s amazement when the man who had already done it all, three times no less, entered his 10th year as a professional looking as good as ever.
Lee’s SK T1 team, which he now leads having spent his entire career with the Seoul-based giants, completed an unprecedented 18-0 perfect regular league season this month. Having won the regular “split”, they continued their run to capture their 12th national title in April.
