League of Legends Legend Perkz Retires After Nearly a Decade at the Top

Luka “Perkz” Perković, one of the most iconic players in League of Legends history, has officially announced his retirement from professional play. With a career spanning almost ten years, Perkz leaves behind a legacy few can match—most notably as the heart of G2 Esports' golden era, and one of the West’s brightest hopes on the international stage.

🌍 A Western Star Who Defied the Odds

In an era dominated by South Korean and Chinese super teams, Perkz stood out as a rare Western player who could go toe-to-toe with the best. His run with G2 Esports in 2019 became the stuff of legend:

• 🏆 MSI 2019 Champion
• LEC Dominance
• 🌐 Worlds 2019 Finalist

That 2019 G2 lineup—Wunder, Jankos, Caps, Perkz, and Mikyx—rewrote what was possible for Western League of Legends, forever etching their names in esports history.

🔁 High Hopes, Mixed Results After G2

After leaving G2, Perkz pursued greatness with Cloud9 and Team Vitality, but despite brief flashes of brilliance, he never managed to recapture the 2019 magic. The pressure and expectations were immense, and over time, the stress took its toll.

Now, with fatherhood on the horizon, Perkz has decided it's time to move on—for good.

📣 Official Retirement Statement from Perkz

In a heartfelt video message, Perkz confirmed his retirement at the age of 26:

“I’m retiring from playing competitively. I’m retiring at 26 years old. It sounds crazy, but it’s esports.”

“All the bad things that come with stress from competing—I don’t want to manage it anymore. I’ve always given it my all… Sometimes my all wasn’t enough, and sometimes my all wasn’t in the right direction, but I gave it my all.”

He added that the “Perkz name is dead,” signaling a definitive end to his professional career as he shifts focus to family and personal life.

A New Chapter Ahead

Perkz plans to take time away from the spotlight for the birth of his first child, supporting his wife and embracing fatherhood. While he hasn’t yet shared what’s next, he made it clear that competitive gaming is no longer part of the plan—for now.

With only Caps and Mikyx still active from G2’s historic roster, Perkz’s departure signals the gradual sunset of an unforgettable era. As Europe looks to the future, it’s time to invest in a new generation of stars—but the impact Perkz made will never be forgotten.