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League of Legends player Mata leaves RNG, cites “personal health problems”

Mata has expressed a desire to return to South Korea. (LoL Esports)
Mata has expressed a desire to return to South Korea. (LoL Esports)

Pro player Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong has announced that he will departing from Royal Never Give Up at the end of 2016.

Mata posted the news on his Facebook page, which we’ve translated here. The Support player said that it has been “a meaningful two years” and he has been inspired to become a better player.

“The teammates are players that need my care. On the other hand I also felt many times that because of my caring, that I was blocking their growth by overhandling them,” Mata wrote in the post. “I thought I cared more for my teammates than myself. On the other hand, I didn’t take care of myself and didn’t play well.”

“The team is backing me up really well and wants me to stay, but I have personal health problems and I have thoughts on playing games in Korea all the time.”

“All the fans who loved me and cheer for me, the team translator and players who have helped me endlessly, I am sorry and thankful. Please keep on cheering on RNG!” he wrote.

Mata first joined RNG in December 2015 after winning the 2014 World Championship with Korean squad Samsung Galaxy White and a brief stint on Vici Gaming. Based in China, RNG is comprised of a mix of players from China and South Korea. The team placed in 5th-8th at Worlds 2016 after being knocked out 3-1 in the quarterfinals by SK Telecom T1.