The European team G2 Esports was actually set for the League of Legends World Championship 2021. In fact, they had strengthened their roster with superstar Rekkles at the end of 2020 to win the Worlds this time. However, it seems that the paths are finally parting.
What about Rekkles and G2 Esports?
- From 2017 to 2020, the teams G2 Esports and Fnatic dominated the European league LEC. However, they repeatedly failed against teams from China and Korea at the Worlds.
- That’s why G2 Esports strengthened their roster with player Martin “Rekkles” Larsson at the end of 2020. He was the AD Carry of Fnatic and is considered one of the best players in this position worldwide.
- But the year 2021 did not go as planned at all. G2 did not even win the national titles and Rekkles seemed more like a hindrance than a great help. His rather passive playstyle did not fit with the rest of the team.
Now the website DotEsports reports that G2 Esports is trying out new players for the position and wants to sell Rekkles.
G2 Esports in transition after weak season, there is no replacement for Rekkles yet
What happens to Rekkles? According to DotEsports, players and members of G2 Esports have been informed that Rekkles will leave the team. Currently, they are still looking for a buyer, as the AD Carry has a contract until November 2023.
Allegedly, direct rival Vitality has expressed interest in Rekkles. Initially, management resisted selling within the league, but now a sale is theoretically possible.
A transfer to another region, such as America or even China, is also possible.
Who replaces Rekkles? This is still uncertain. However, various AD Carries from Europe are said to have tried out for G2.
What else is happening at G2? Besides Rekkles, other players are also reportedly for sale (via DotEsports):
- Top laner Martin “Wunder” Hansen is reportedly on the market for 2 million Euros
- Support Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle for 1.5 million
- Head coach Fabian “GrabbZ” Lohmann for nearly 160,000 Euros
All these team members are currently under contract until November 2022.
Only midlaner Rasmus “Caps” Borregaard Winther is considered secured for the upcoming season. He has already extended his contract early until 2023.
Stars often move to America and “cash in” on the contract
What makes a move to America so attractive? Aside from Team Vitality, a transfer of Rekkles to the American LCS seems the most likely.
In the past, many international stars have moved to the States. The teams there can afford high transfer fees and good contracts:
- In 2020, former AD Carry from G2 Esports – Perkz – moved to the American team Cloud 9. A transfer fee of 5 million dollars was paid.
- Also in 2020, Taiwanese supporter Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-Chieh moved to TSM for 6 million dollars.
- Felix „Abbedagge“ Braun, the former midlaner of Schalke 04, transferred in 2021 for 1 million dollars to 100 Thieves.
They all are said to earn more with the American teams than with their employers in other regions.
Already on October 5, the LoL Worlds 2021 will start, and three teams from Europe are fighting for the international title. To get in the mood for the event, Riot Games has released a new song. Included in the video is also player Rekkles:
Riot shows new song to LoL Worlds 2021: “The animations are incredible”
