Deft’s triumphant victory at the 2022 League of Legends World Championship (CKTG) was a defining moment in his career. Akin to Lionel Messi’s World Cup conquest, Deft’s win solidified his place amongst the game’s legends, securing every major title in the fiercely competitive South Korean (LCK) and international scenes.
However, unlike Messi, who gracefully transitioned to a less demanding league, Deft opted to remain amongst the LCK’s elite. This decision, while admirable, seems to have inadvertently accelerated the twilight of his brilliant career. A series of lackluster performances with DK and later KT have left fans yearning for the Deft of yesteryear. Worse still, his former team, DK, suffered their worst-ever Worlds performance in 2023 – a year that would see his eternal rival, Faker, break new ground.
Faker’s Eternal Reign
In stark contrast to Deft’s decline, Faker’s 2023 World Championship victory etched his name further into the annals of League of Legends history. Not only did he secure his fourth Worlds title, but he became the oldest player to achieve this monumental feat. The win served as a defiant declaration that age is but a number for the ‘Unkillable Demon King.’
It’s important to understand the context of Faker’s dominance. The only other player who comes close to his legacy is Bengi, a long-retired teammate. Others like Duke (two-time champion) and BeryL have either retired or remain inconsistent. Only Canyon stands a chance to rival Faker’s championship tally, but even that would require exceptional consistency from Gen.G, who have a dubious history of falling short at crucial moments.
The Disparity Grows Wider
As 2024 dawned, Deft’s reunion with BeryL on KT Rolster created a flicker of hope. Sadly, this pairing has failed to live up to expectations. Deft has become a worrying weak link in the team’s strategy. The current LCK meta typically favors either a dominant AD Carry supported by a secondary carry in mid or top lane, or a scaling AD Carry with a playmaking mid laner. KT’s attempts to force Deft into the hyper-carry role have yielded dismal results, as evident in their recent loss to Gen.G.
Meanwhile, Faker continues to soar with T1. His stellar early-season performance has placed him atop the Player of the Game (POG) rankings alongside Chovy. Though Deft and Faker play different roles, Faker’s impact on his team is undeniably greater. T1’s entire playstyle crumbles without him, whereas Deft’s struggles within KT have become a recurring source of frustration for fans who wish he’d retired at the peak of his career.
The two rivals have already clashed twice in the 2024 Spring Split, with T1 emerging victorious on both occasions. It’s disheartening to see such a stark contrast between the two players who have long been synonymous with LCK excellence.
Conclusion
The paths of Deft and Faker, once intertwined, now diverge drastically. Deft’s continued presence at the highest level of competition unintentionally amplifies the eternal brilliance of Faker, who defies age and expectations. While Deft’s legacy as a champion will never be tarnished, his current trajectory casts a shadow on his past glory, inadvertently serving as a testament to the enduring greatness of Faker.
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