Gumayusi Departs T1 After Historic Worlds Win

The End of an Era: Gumayusi Parts Ways with T1

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the League of Legends community, Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong has officially departed from T1 following the team's historic third consecutive World Championship victory. The departure comes just days after the AD carry's stellar performance at Worlds 2025, where he earned Finals MVP honors for his dominant showing against KT Rolster in Chengdu.

Gumayusi's seven-year tenure with T1 was nothing short of legendary, cementing his status as one of the greatest AD carries in League history. He leaves the organization with an unparalleled resume: three consecutive World titles (2023-2025), one LCK championship, the Esports World Cup 2024 trophy, and a Finals MVP award. His partnership with support Ryu "Keria" Min-seok formed one of the most feared bot-lane duos in competitive history, known for their explosive laning and world-class synergy.

"The trophies we lifted together and the legacy he built will always be a proud part of our history and in the hearts of our fans." - T1 Official Statement

Why Did Gumayusi Leave?

Unlike last year's controversial departure of top-laner Choi "Zeus" Woo-je, Gumayusi's exit appears to be entirely his own decision. The ADC's contract expired on November 17, 2025, the same day he officially announced his departure. T1 representatives confirmed that negotiations concluded in a "positive atmosphere" with both parties agreeing not to disclose details, emphasizing that Gumayusi was "taking on a new challenge."

Several factors may have influenced his decision:

• Despite the Worlds triumph, 2025 was turbulent for T1, with the team barely qualifying for the tournament after an early benching of Gumayusi during the LCK Spring Split.
• The AD carry expressed his desire to prove himself as the world's best ADC after his mid-season demotion, a goal he achieved at Worlds.
• Reports suggest internal tensions may have persisted despite external success, prompting Gumayusi to seek a fresh start.

The Aftermath: Peyz Joins T1

T1 has already moved to replace the departing ADC with rising star Park "Peyz" Joon-keun. The 19-year-old phenom is returning to the LCK after a dominant stint with Gen.G, where he consistently outperformed Gumayusi in domestic competitions from 2023-2024. Peyz's addition creates immediate intrigue:

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• He possesses multiple international titles despite his young age.
• He has a proven track record of defeating Gumayusi in head-to-head matchups.
• His history with top-laner Doran suggests potential for seamless integration with T1's existing roster.

What's Next?

Gumayusi's departure creates significant ripple effects across the League ecosystem:

For T1: With only Faker, Keria, and Oner confirmed for 2026, the team faces uncertainty. Doran's contract also expired on the same day, raising questions about his future. The Peyz-Keria bot lane combination represents both a promising new chapter and a significant adjustment from the legendary duo that dominated international play.

For Gumayusi: Industry insiders speculate he may join Hanwha Life Esports to reunite with Zeus, with Gen.G also reportedly interested in acquiring his services. The possibility of an LPL move isn't ruled out either, as the three-time Worlds champion looks to expand his legacy beyond Korea.

This unexpected roster shake-up has thrown the LCK offseason into chaos, with teams scrambling to capitalize on the sudden availability of one of the game's premier players. As the dust settles, all eyes will be on how T1 adapts to life after Gumayusi and whether the ADC can replicate his success in a new environment.