During T1’s 2023 League of Legends campaign, supporters were stunned when Faker was forced to take a break from stage play due to wrist problems. And in an upcoming documentary, fans are finally getting an inside look at the debilitating injury that sidelined the best player in League history.
In a clip shared today, Sept. 18, Faker explained that the pain and discomfort in his wrist started during the 2023 Summer Split, which led to some unfortunate performances and losses. The iconic mid laner had no choice but to sit out due to the pain, and without their leader, the young team went on a worrying losing streak in the middle of the split that pushed them closer to missing the playoffs.
Faker can even be seen struggling to put on a backpack due to the pain in his wrist, and later on, he said the pain gradually became worse as he continued to battle through the symptoms. According to the 28-year-old, he would lose sensation in his fingers for a few minutes after a game, but after a few days of continuous play, the numbness would last the whole day following a series.
Eventually, Faker wasn’t able to play the game at all, causing T1 management to send him to top-tier medical care for treatment. He eventually returned to pro play later in the 2023 season, but this was a stressful time for League fans around the world. These types of injuries have affected multiple superstars over the years, including Dplus KIA mid laner ShowMaker and retired AD carry legend Uzi.
Although ShowMaker was able to recuperate his health and return to the stage, Uzi continued regressing until he was no longer able to compete due to his arm and back problems. The Chinese superstar is also a year younger than Faker, which is concerning since Faker started playing at the same time as Uzi—and has played for much longer.
Additionally, Faker has seemingly been dealing with other challenges behind the scenes this year. He was seen headbutting a wall following a loss during the 2024 LCK Summer Split, which was a shocking scene that brought up even more discussions around the mental health of pro players and how the pressures of competition can affect everyone—including the greatest of all time.
With a career that spans more than a decade, Faker has earned his place as the League GOAT. But we now can see examples of how much blood, sweat, and tears he’s put into every incredible moment he’s etched into the history books.
The upcoming documentary is set to premiere on Sept. 20 on T1’s YouTube channel.
