The legendary esports athlete joins Cristiano Ronaldo, the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and fellow Game Ambassador Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program through 2028, representing players and inspiring the next generation.
Today, the Esports Foundation (EF) announced that Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, currently the best Esports player in the world, has been named a game ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028.
His career has surpassed competitive gaming, bringing him to national hero status in the Republic of Korea and this is the biggest part that people take seriously about gaming.
Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. Together, they represent the expanding global culture of competition: the reach of traditional sport, the evolution of competitive gaming and the athletes who built esports itself.
Faker will represent the perspective of esports players across the Foundation’s international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums, helping strengthen the connections among players, fans and organizations.
“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”
Faker added:
“Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”
For more than a decade, Faker has represented competitive gaming. While his achievements began in League of Legends, his influence now extends beyond a single title. As esports has grown from a passionate culture into a global sport that fills arenas and creates national icons, Faker has remained at the center of that story, becoming one of the defining athletes of his generation while inspiring millions of players around the world.
Faker has competed at the top level with T1 for more than ten years. He is a six-time League of Legends World Champion, an EWC 2024 winner, a two-time MSI champion, and a ten-time domestic champion.
His victory at the inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024 added another international title to his already accomplished career in competitive gaming. This week, Faker will look to reclaim the EWC trophy by competing as part of T1 at the EWC, showcasing the highest standard of professional play on the biggest esports stage.
Beyond competition, Faker has emerged as one of the most well-known athletes in the Republic of Korea. President Lee Jae-myung recognized his contributions to Korean sport and culture in 2026 by awarding him the Blue Dragon Medal, the country’s highest sporting honor, making him the first esports athlete to do so.
These days, Faker’s impact goes far beyond the game. For millions of admirers, he stands for the qualities that characterize elite competition: perseverance, humility, discipline, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness. His voice has spread far beyond competitive gaming as esports has become a worldwide cultural phenomenon, reaching leaders in business, entertainment, politics, and sports.
Also Read: South Korea Asian Games 2026 LoL Roster Revealed (Faker Returns)
