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League of Legends content creator Simon “TheBaus” Hofverberg has made the decision to step away from professional play after Los Ratones were knocked out of the running for the LEC Versus playoffs on the last day of the regular split.
The announcement was made by TheBaus himself during a livestream on February 11, in response to a viewer’s question about his future plans.
TheBaus Announces Retirement from Professional League of Legends
Reflecting on his time with Los Ratones, TheBaus shared his personal perspective on the situation.
“Speaking for myself, when I joined this project a year ago, I never intended to pursue a professional career—that was never the goal,” TheBaus explained. “I was simply giving it a try for a year and then moving on. It’s disappointing that we didn’t make it further because I felt like I had more to offer. Personally, I will no longer be competing professionally.”
This announcement marks the first official change in Los Ratones’ lineup following their elimination from the tournament. The team’s future remains uncertain, as the LEC Versus event was a special invitation-only competition with no guarantees of continuation.
Los Ratones’ Remarkable Journey Comes to an End
The news comes after Los Ratones captured the hearts of fans worldwide with their classic underdog story in the world of League of Legends. As a team from the European Regional League (ERL) entering the competition against 10 established LEC teams, they were initially underestimated.
Starting with a rough zero-four record, many believed they would struggle throughout the split. However, the team defied expectations, securing crucial victories week after week and climbing the ranks. Their peak moment came when they defeated G2 Esports, a powerhouse in European esports, in a match that drew significant viewership.
Despite their incredible journey, it all came crashing down on the final day when they were defeated by Team Vitality, even after Vitality allowed TheBaus to play his signature champion Sion, a champion that kickstarted his streaming career years ago.
The loss was particularly devastating given the circumstances. Los Ratones only needed Karmine Corp, Natus Vincere, or Fnatic to win their matches on that day to secure a playoff berth. Unfortunately, all three teams fell short, leading to an unexpected turn of events and the end of their fairy-tale run.
What Lies Ahead for Los Ratones?
Having been eliminated from the LEC Versus playoffs, Los Ratones have concluded their participation in the competition. As a team without a franchise slot, their return to the LEC in its current format is not guaranteed.
The future plans of Los Ratones remain uncertain. Should the team decide to continue their journey, they will need to fill the vacancy left in the top lane.
Meanwhile, TheBaus is set to focus on his streaming and content creation endeavors full-time, leveraging his expertise in unconventional top lane strategies and high-level solo queue gameplay.