Excel Esports has confirmed that starting LEC mid laner Vincent “Vetheo” Berrié will be stepping back to focus on his mental well-being.
Vetheo has been one of the fastest-rising stars in the region since his debut with Misfits Gaming in 2021, but the 20-year-old recently posted a statement on social media about his current mental stage, explaining that he’s been “depressed since Winter Split and [he doesn’t] know how to get better if not winning.”
Related: ‘No excuses’: Odoamne and Excel aim for LEC Spring Split redemption after elimination
As a result, the team will be promoting substitute mid laner Felix “Abbedagge” Braun to their starting roster for the final week of the regular season. The 23-year-old last played on the big stage with 100 Thieves in North America, before Excel signed him as a sub at the start of 2023.
Between 2021 and 2022, Abbedagge elevated 100 Thieves to new heights, contributing to the organization’s first LCS championship. After getting replaced by LCS superstar Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg, however, he was unable to find a starting spot on a roster. The talented star will be joining Excel for the final week of the regular season, where they are already battling against elimination with a 2-4 record.
With three other teams tied for last place, there is still a chance that they can break into the group stage, but only if they can finish as a top-eight squad. Last season, Excel were eliminated from contention after they finished in last place.
There is plenty of pressure for Abbedagge to succeed since their playoff hopes could hinge on his success. Before his departure, Vetheo had the highest kill participation percentage among all LEC mid laners, while also holding 26 percent of his team’s total gold, according to competitive League stats aggregate Oracle’s Elixir. Vetheo did, however, have some of the lowest damage and kill numbers in his role as well.
Abbedagge, on the other hand, doesn’t require as many resources to succeed, seen by his relatively lower gold share numbers during his time with 100 Thieves. He also had similar kill participation percentages as Vetheo, while also boasting a higher average damage to champions per minute. As a result, Excel could focus their efforts on other lanes, while Abbedagge soaks more pressure from the opposing teams.
Catch Abbedagge’s 2023 LEC Spring debut when the final weekend of the regular season begins on Saturday, March 23.
