Veteran jungler Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski has addressed his absence from the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) in 2025, revealing he turned down an offer from Natus Vincere (NaVi) during the offseason. In a candid conversation on the latest episode of EUphoria, the former G2 Esports and Team Heretics standout cited burnout and declining confidence after two difficult years as the main reasons for stepping away. While he remains active in the League of Legends ecosystem through content creation, co-streaming, and competition in the NLC with NORD, his immediate future does not include a return to the LEC.

Why Jankos Declined NaVi’s LEC Offer

Following a reported offer by Natus Vincere to join their new LEC lineup, Jankos made the personal decision to step back from top-level professional play. Despite the appeal of rejoining the premier European league, he felt unprepared to meet the intense demands of LEC competition without being fully committed.

“NaVi offered me a spot on the team,” Jankos said, reflecting on the offseason. “I didn’t want to return to the LEC if I couldn’t give it 150%.”

Jankos elaborated on how the outcome of his tenure with Team Heretics contributed to the decision. Despite high expectations, the past two competitive seasons produced underwhelming results, which took a toll on both his confidence and motivation.

“I didn’t have the best two years in Heretics when it comes to results, and that kind of killed my confidence.”

The Polish veteran further emphasized that joining an LEC team without being fully invested would not only be unfair to himself, but also to his future teammates and the broader expectations tied to a marquee organization like NaVi.

“I didn’t join the LEC this year because I was burned out.”

Competing with NORD in NLC While Staying Close to the LEC

Instead of jumping back into the LEC spotlight, Jankos is competing in the NLC with NORD, a regional league that grants him more schedule flexibility and time to recalibrate. This offers a middle ground between complete retirement and full-throttle competition, allowing him to maintain his skillset in a more controlled environment.

Simultaneously, Jankos has accepted a unique role connected to NaVi—as a co-streamer. He now provides real-time watch parties, breakdowns, and analysis for NaVi’s matches, allowing him to stay embedded in the LEC conversation without stepping back onto the stage as a player.

Expanding His Reach Through Content and Streaming

Jankos will continue to broaden his influence within the League of Legends community by doubling down on content creation throughout 2025. A veteran with a charismatic style and deep understanding of jungle dynamics, he has long been one of Europe’s most followed personalities on Twitch and YouTube. His content ranges from ranked gameplay and coaching tips to insightful commentary on professional play.

“Next year, I’m most likely going to focus more on content creation and co-streaming.”

By focusing on co-streaming NaVi’s games and creating educational League of Legends content, Jankos is charting a course that blends passion with sustainability. This avenue not only keeps him engaged with his fans and the pro scene, but also positions him well for a future return to pro play—should he rediscover the hunger for elite competition.

Looking Ahead: A Pause, Not a Departure

With multiple championships, World Championship appearances, and a decade-long career behind him, Jankos remains one of the most recognized and respected Western junglers in League of Legends history. While he steps back from the LEC in 2025, his involvement in the scene signals that retirement isn’t on his mind—rather, recovery and reflection are the temporary priorities.

If his run with NORD proves fruitful and his confidence returns, a mid- or late-2025 comeback is entirely plausible. His shotcalling prowess, leadership experience, and deep metagame knowledge make him a highly valuable asset to any top team.

Until then, fans can follow his journey through his streams, YouTube videos, and live co-streams of NaVi’s matches, where his sharp insights and unmistakable personality remain as impactful as ever.

Watch the full episode of EUphoria featuring Jankos here: