League of Legends legend Faker becomes the first player in history to reach 1,000 international kills, adding yet another milestone to his iconic career during the MSI 2025 upper bracket final against Gen.G.
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, widely regarded as the greatest League of Legends player of all time, has etched another record into the history books. During the upper bracket final at the 2025 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) in Vancouver, the T1 mid laner reached his 1,000th international kill, becoming the first player in League of Legends history to do so.
The milestone moment occurred in game two of T1’s thrilling series against arch-rivals Gen.G on July 10th. Amid a chaotic and hard-fought battle, Faker landed the historic kill that not only helped level the series at 1-1 but also symbolized more than a decade of dominance on the international stage. T1 would go on to push the series to five games, though Gen.G ultimately claimed the win with a 3-2 result.
Faker’s journey to this incredible feat began over 12 years ago at the 2013 World Championship, where he made his international debut with SK Telecom T1. His first kill came against Lemondogs, and since then, he has remained a constant force at the highest levels of competition, amassing accolades and rewriting the record books.
The 1,000th kill is only the latest in a long list of achievements that define Faker’s legendary career. He already holds records for the most kills in the LCK, being the first to reach 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 kills; and earlier this year, he became the first player to compete in 1,000 matches in Korea’s top league. Internationally, he is unmatched in prestige, boasting five World Championship titles and two MSI trophies.
Despite falling short against Gen.G in the upper bracket final, T1 and Faker are still very much in contention at MSI 2025. They’re scheduled to face the winner of Bilibili Gaming and Anyone’s Legend in the lower bracket final on July 12th. A win there would give them a rematch against Gen.G in the grand final and a shot at Faker’s third MSI crown.
Faker’s consistent excellence and unrivaled longevity have made him the face of competitive League of Legends for more than a decade. At 29 years old, he continues to perform at the highest level, inspiring a new generation of players and fans around the world.
As the 2025 season unfolds, one thing remains clear: whether it’s setting new records or chasing another trophy, Faker’s legacy in esports continues to grow. With his 1,000th international kill now secured, the Unkillable Demon King has once again reminded the world why he remains the greatest to ever do it.
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