The Mid-Season Invitational MVPs: A History of Excellence
In the competitive world of League of Legends, there are two major international events held each year. One of these esteemed tournaments is the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), which takes place after the Spring Split and showcases the best teams from around the globe.
Unlike the World Championship, where multiple representatives from each region compete, MSI only features one team per region, typically the champion of the Spring Split. This means that the tournament brings together the best players from minor and major leagues worldwide.
Throughout MSI, every team has memorable moments, but there are always standout players who light up the matches. These exceptional players are recognized and honored with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for their outstanding contributions. Let’s take a look at the MVPs in the history of the Mid-Season Invitational.
MSI 2015: Edward Gaming’s Ming “Clearlove” Kai
In 2015, EDG entered the MSI as one of the favorites to win the trophy. Clearlove, considered one of the world’s best players at the time, proved his worth throughout the tournament. He achieved the highest KDA (Kill/Death/Assist ratio) and an impressive 77 percent first blood rate, participating in over 70 percent of his team’s total kills.
MSI 2016: SK Telecom T1’s Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
The 2016 MSI took place during SKT’s dominant era. Fresh off their second World Championship title, Faker showcased why he was regarded as the greatest player. He had the second-most kills in the tournament and demonstrated exceptional leadership both in and out of the game.
MSI 2017: SK Telecom T1’s Lee “Wolf” Jae-wan
Despite SKT’s roster changes in 2017, Wolf remained a strong force in the support role. He displayed consistent performances and had the second-highest KDA among all players at the tournament.
MSI 2018: Royal Never Give Up’s Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao
Uzi, the legendary AD carry, delivered a remarkable performance in the 2018 MSI. He achieved the highest number of kills, dealing almost 40 percent of his team’s total damage throughout the tournament.
MSI 2019: G2 Esports’ Rasmus “Caps” Winther
Europe’s G2 Esports dominated the 2019 MSI, and Caps played a crucial role as their superstar mid laner. He showcased his skills with flashy outplays, most kills, and high kill participation percentage, leading the team to victory with exceptional individual and team play.
MSI 2021: Royal Never Give Up’s Chen “Gala” Wei
In 2021, Gala, the rising star AD carry for RNG, lived up to the hype on the international stage. He achieved remarkable statistics, including the most kills and the highest average damage to champions per minute among all players.
MSI 2022: Royal Never Give Up’s Yan “Wei” Yang-wei
Despite playing with high ping, RNG’s jungler Wei showcased his talent and played a pivotal role in capturing the team’s third MSI trophy. He maintained consistency throughout the tournament, achieving the highest KDA, a high first blood rate, and the second-highest average gold difference at 15 minutes.
These MVPs have left their mark in the history of the Mid-Season Invitational, demonstrating their exceptional skills and contributions to their teams’ success.
League of Legends, Mid-Season Invitational, MSI, MVP, esports, tournament, history, Clearlove, Faker, Wolf, Uzi, Caps, Gala, Wei.