Image: Riot Games
Rekkles' name appeared as an option in LoL Esport's Crystal Ball and Pick'ems.
European League of Legends star Carl Martin Erik ‘Rekkles’ Larsson has sparked excitement after his name appeared in T1’s Pick’Ems for Worlds 2024.
To add to the intrigue, T1 CEO Joe Marsh replied to one tweet about the news, tagging Rekkles:
While this inclusion has led many to speculate about his potential role as a substitute, the South Korean organisation has yet to officially confirm their roster for the event.
Teams are allowed to bring substitutes at Worlds, in case someone from the main roster is unwell or unavailable to play due to other circumstances.
Rekkles’ LEC to LCK journey
After leaving G2 Esports in 2021, Rekkles explored new opportunities across several organisations. He initially joined Karmine Corp, a French team competing in the LFL, where he helped them secure a title in the European Masters.
Rekkles later returned to his former team Fnatic in 2022. The reunion did not live up to expectations however, and his departure came soon after.
His most surprising move was to LCK and T1’s Academy team, where he transitioned from his iconic AD Carry position to a support role in 2023.
During the 2024 season, Rekkles helped T1 Academy finish ninth in the spring split and sixth in the summer.
The Academy squad went on to secure fourth place in the 2024 Summer Playoffs after a hard-fought series against Dplus KIA Challengers.
His strong performance over the year seems to have earned him a spot in the Pick’Ems, fuelling speculation that he may be brought in as a substitute for Worlds 2024.
T1 barely secured their spot at Worlds after a nail-biting 3-2 victory against KT Rolster in the 2024 Regional Finals. They had struggled throughout the summer leading up to the event, finishing fourth during the LCK Summer Split and missing the LCK Summer Grand Finals, and finishing third after getting eliminated by eventual LCK Summer Champions Hanwha Life Esports.
The team’s rough form continued in the Regional Qualifiers, where they fell to Dplus KIA 3-2 in the first round, leaving their Worlds hopes hanging by a thread. However, they managed to claw their way into the tournament in a tense five-game series against KT Rolster to claim Korea’s final seed.
Although T1’s official roster for Worlds remains unconfirmed, Rekkles’ name has been listed in the Pick’Ems categories on the Riot Games website. This has led fans to wonder whether he might be called upon to substitute for either Lee ‘Gumayusi’ Min-hyeong as ADC or Ryu ‘Keria’ Min-seok as support.
While both starters are known for their individual prowess, T1’s recent struggles have raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.
Whether Rekkles will take to the stage or remain a substitute is still unclear, but his veteran experience could prove valuable for T1, both on and off the Rift.
If he does play, it will mark his seventh World Championship appearance, though it will be the first where he isn’t representing Fnatic. And should T1 by some miracle raise the Summoner’s Cup this year, Rekkles will be the first European to win the championship title.
As fans eagerly await T1’s final roster announcement, the possibility of Rekkles making his return to the international stage adds another layer of excitement to Worlds 2024.
