Los Ratones Shut Down After LEC Versus 2026

Los Ratones has ended operations after a difficult final week in the 2026 LEC Versus Regular Season. The team narrowly missed the Playoffs and finished ninth. Marc “Caedrel” Lamont confirmed the shutdown in a YouTube video, calling it a bittersweet end to the project. He thanked the players, staff, and fans, and said the group would close with its original roster rather than continue in a reduced form.

Los Ratones was formed in 2024 by Caedrel, who led the project as head coach. The effort grew from his idea of making competitive League of Legends feel more open to fans. The team streamed practice sessions, team meetings, and matches to show how a roster prepared and worked together. Analyst Molecule supported the project from the start. Over two years, the group won tournaments, developed a strong identity, and became one of the most-watched squads at events they attended.

Background and Formation

The team began as a streamer-led experiment to bring viewers closer to the day-to-day reality of a competitive roster. Los Ratones showcased strategy talks and post-game reviews, with the aim of building understanding around how choices were made. This openness shaped the team’s public image and helped it gather a dedicated following.

Los Ratones debuted in late 2024 at the NNO Cup Season 2. Despite playing without Rekkles, they won the event. They leaned on a late-game, macro-focused style that emphasized map control, vision, and patience. The players showed discipline in closing games and adapted well to pressure.

In 2025, the roster built on that start and took several trophies. The team won EMEA Spring and Summer tournaments and captured three titles in the Northern League of Legends Championship (NLC). Those results showed that the group could compete consistently across different brackets and formats.

Why the Team Disbanded

After being eliminated from LEC Versus 2026 and falling short of the Playoffs, Caedrel said the project could not continue without a permanent path at the top level. A full LEC franchising slot was out of reach due to the cost and the lack of a suitable partnership. Without that security, he felt it would not be sustainable to run the roster long term.

He described the decision as unavoidable under the circumstances. While the team had become a viewer favorite and generated strong interest, including the most-watched group stage match of the tournament, that attention alone did not solve the structural hurdles. The focus was on ending the project respectfully and setting up individuals for their next steps.

Players’ Reactions and Next Steps

• TheBausffs (Simon Hofverberg): Said he is returning to full-time streaming and is done with professional play.
• Rekkles (Carl Martin Larsson): Called the run one of his best experiences, citing a positive environment, more time with family, and less stress.
• Crownie (Juš Marušič): Described the project as the peak of his career so far and highlighted the kindness and support that surprised many.
• Nemesis (Tim Lipovšek): Said the experience was more enjoyable than he expected, even compared with larger organizations, and thanked fans for gifts and steady support.
• Velja (Veljko Čamdžić): Credited the fans for every trophy the team won and for making the project possible.

At the time of the announcement, there were no confirmed plans for Velja, Nemesis, Crownie, or Rekkles. They may choose to stream, explore roster offers, or look at opportunities in LEC teams. TheBausffs is the only player who made his path clear immediately.

Coach YamatoCannon, who worked with the group, said the project stood out for how much care went into it and how entertaining it was for viewers. Staff and players posted messages of thanks to fans after the team’s elimination, reflecting on growth and shared moments over the two-year run.

Addressing the Final Week and Public Response

Caedrel spoke directly about the final week of the season. He said the team’s exit was on him and did not offer excuses. He pointed to the improvements he saw in each player and emphasized pride in how they competed as a unit. The message focused on accountability, lessons learned, and respect for everyone who supported the team.

He also explained why a partial continuation did not make sense. Without a stable top-level slot, keeping the roster together or rebuilding it would create uncertainty. Ending the project now, while it was still intact, avoided dragging out a situation that could limit players’ future options.

Projects and Appearances on the Horizon

A Red Bull documentary with behind-the-scenes footage is planned, though no release date has been announced. The film is expected to cover team prep, communication, and the closing chapter of the project. Caedrel also left the door open to future “Avengers” style showmatches featuring former members, but nothing is confirmed.

Legacy and Impact

Los Ratones leaves a clear mark on how a competitive roster can share its process with fans. By opening scrims, meetings, and strategy talks, the team made complex decisions easier to follow. The approach also helped new viewers understand late-game macro concepts that the roster used to win key matches.

Results mattered as well: the NNO Cup Season 2 title in 2024, a strong run through 2025 including EMEA Spring and Summer wins, and multiple NLC trophies. In 2026, they did not reach the Playoffs and finished ninth in LEC Versus, but their matches still drew large audiences, including the tournament’s most-watched group stage game.

The project ended because structural entry to the top league was not achievable under the current model. Even with strong viewership and community support, the lack of a franchised slot created limits. The shutdown aims to give players freedom to choose their next chapters and to close the project on honest terms.