One of VALORANT’s best players ever has decided to stop playing. Leo “Leo” Jannesson is leaving Fnatic and competitive gaming after fighting health problems for over a year.
A Star Player’s Tough Choice
Leo hasn’t played on stage since June 2024. He stepped back from Fnatic’s starting team because he got sick. The team and fans hoped he would get better and come back. But after 15 months away, Leo made the hard choice to retire.
Fnatic shared the news just days before VALORANT Champions 2025 starts in Paris. The team said they are “incredibly proud” of Leo’s time with them. They won two big tournaments together and Leo became a fan favorite.
The Health Struggle
Leo has been fighting what teammates call “Long Covid.” This sickness makes it very hard to play at the top level. Fnatic’s team director Colin “CoJo” Johnson said watching Leo have to quit because of illness “feels like a knife in the gut.”
The Swedish player tried to get better for over a year. He wanted to return and help his team win more trophies. But his health wouldn’t let him play the way he used to.
A Champion’s Legacy
Leo joined Fnatic in 2022 and quickly became one of the world’s best players. He helped the team win VCT LOCK//IN São Paulo in 2023, where he was named the tournament’s best player. Just months later, they won Masters Tokyo too.
These back-to-back wins made Fnatic the most successful team in VALORANT history. Leo played a huge part in both victories. He never lost a match in either tournament.
Other top players learned how to play by watching Leo. His former coach Mini said “Leo set the standard for how great VALORANT should be played and most still don’t come close.”
Teammates Say Farewell
Leo’s Fnatic teammates shared goodbye messages after the news came out. Team captain Boaster said he was “proud to have been your teammate.” Star player Alfajer called Leo “such a good friend” and thanked him for their time together.
The timing hurts extra because Fnatic starts their Champions 2025 run this week. They are one of the favorites to win the biggest tournament of the year. But they’ll have to do it without their former star.
What This Means for VALORANT
Leo’s retirement is huge news for VALORANT fans worldwide. He was only 23 years old and could have played for many more years. Instead, health problems ended his career early.
Many people call Leo one of the greatest VALORANT players ever. He showed others how to play his positions perfectly. Young players still copy his style today.
The community is sad to lose such a talented player. But everyone supports Leo’s decision to put his health first. Sometimes the most important choice is knowing when to step away.
Leo’s story reminds us that esports players are human too. They face the same health challenges as everyone else. The pressure to perform at the highest level can make these problems even harder.
VALORANT loses a legend, but Leo’s impact will last forever. Future players will study his games and try to match his skill. His two championship trophies prove he was truly special.
Andrew "SuZki" Scola is a dedicated Valorant player who has been in the game since the Valorant beta release, achieving a peak rank of Immortal 3. With over six years of experience writing gaming content, he brings deep game knowledge and strategic insight to every article. Based in Los Angeles, California, Andrew is an active member of the SoCal Valorant community and has competed at the semi-pro level in Valorant esports. As a proud Killjoy and Raze main, he’s known for his sharp utility usage and high-impact plays—especially on his favorite maps: Haven, Breeze, and Lotus.