End of an era: Leo leaves FNATIC and announces retirement from VALORANT

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Following a five-year stint with VALORANT, Leo has decided to end his professional journey with FNATIC and retire from competitive gaming due to health concerns.

After spending five years as a player in the VALORANT circuit, Leo is leaving FNATIC and announcing his retirement because of health issues.

Leoh “Leo” Jannesson wasn’t simply a Swedish athlete; he was among FNATIC’s most promising talents. After a five-year run in the VALORANT competitive world, Leo has bid farewell to FNATIC and hung up his professional gear. While part of the orange squad, the player managed to bag one domestic championship and two international titles.

Leo leaves a legacy of clutches

In a touching video tribute, FNATIC celebrated some of Leo’s standout moments by showcasing his unique abilities. CoJo from FNATIC commented that despite not playing a typical high-impact role, Leo demonstrated exceptional skill with his utility, making it seem effortless and seamless. On the other hand, Jake “Boaster” Howlett described Leo as an initially reserved character who gradually warmed up to the team over time.

In 2023, Leo experienced an extraordinary season, clinching the MVP award at VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo and being designated Initiator of the Year at the VCT 2023: EMEA League. Furthermore, he won the VALORANT Masters Tokyo championship and reached a commendable fourth place in the VALORANT Champions tournament. On September 10, 2025, Leo announced his retirement from FNATIC, effectively bringing an end to his professional career.

FNATIC’s CEO, Sam Mathews, considers Leo as one of the best ever in the game VALORANT, stating that “Leo will undoubtedly excel at whatever he takes on next, just as he did in VALORANT.” Teams and professional players took to a farewell post to share their admiration for Leo’s influence within the gaming community.

Health condition

By June 2024, Leo found himself compelled to step away from tournaments because of a health issue. Ever since, the team has kept everyone informed about his progress. Despite constant check-ups over several months and exhaustive efforts to find remedies, Leo unfortunately could not return to the field.

Approximately two months post-infection, Boaster disclosed that Leo had developed long COVID – a condition affecting some individuals even after their initial recovery from the virus. As per FNATIC’s gaming team leader, Leo was battling intense fatigue and dizziness. Towards the end of the year, Austin “crashies” Roberts was signed by FNATIC, with Leo still on the mend.

FNATIC Leo’s best moments

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2025-09-10 21:11