Benjamin Esteban Ramirez Mercado, a Chilean League of Legends player and coach, was pronounced dead on December 16, 2025. Ramirez was a prominent figure in the South American esports scene, having been a part of various teams since 2014. His most recent team was Isurus Gaming, where he held the position of coach between July and December 20
Let’s honor his legacy by going through his accomplishments in League of Legends and the mark that he left in the South American scene.
Emp started playing League of Legends in 2014 as a bot laner for Team LGL. Then, he competed in the Circuito de Leyendas LAS 2015 (Latin America South’s Challenger League). Playing with Dark Horse, he was immediately promoted to the Latin America Cup (the tier 1 regional league) and moved to Isurus Gaming.
A few months later, he role-swapped to mid lane and stayed with Isurus until 2019. During that time, he got three first places, two second places, and two third places. Emp also played in the 2017 MSI.
Afterwards, Ramirez joined Furious Gaming / Furious Chile in May 2019. The mid laner stayed with them for three and a half years, collecting even more trophies and runner-up placements.
In 2023 and 2024, he played for Globant Emerald, then Meta Gaming. Emp then concluded his career as a player with one split as a support, before announcing his retirement. Lastly, he joined Isurus again in July 2025 for the organisation’s final split, this time as a positional coach.
| Tournament | Placement | Team | Role | Competition tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 LTA South Split 3 | 7-8 | Isurus | Positional coach | Tier 1 |
| 2023 LRS Closing | 5-6 | Globant Emerald | Mid laner | Tier 2 |
| 2023 LMF Opening | 4 | Globant Emerald | Mid laner | Tier 3 |
| 2022 LHE Closing | 1 | Furious Gaming | Mid laner | Tier 2 |
| 2022 LHE Opening | 1 | Furious Gaming | Mid laner | Tier 2 |
| 2021 Super Copa Entel | 1 | Furious Chile | Mid laner | Tier 2 |
| 2021 LHE Closing | 1 | Furious Chile | Mid laner | Tier 2 |
| 2021 LHE Opening | 2 | Furious Chile | Mid laner | Tier 2 |
| 2020 LLA Closing | 6 | Furious Gaming | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2020 LLA Opening | 8 | Furious Gaming | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2019 LLA Closing | 5 | Isurus | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2018 CLS Closing | 3 | Isurus | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2018 CLS Opening | 3 | Isurus | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2017 CLS Closing | 2 | Isurus | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2017 MSI | 12-13 | Isurus | Mid laner | International Tier 1 |
| 2017 CLS Opening | 1 | Isurus | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2017 CLS Preseason | 1 | Isurus | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2016 LAS Closing | 2 | Isurus | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2016 LAS Opening | 1 | Isurus | Mid laner | Tier 1 |
| 2015 LAS Closing | 5 | Isurus | Bot laner | Tier 1 |
| 2015 CDLS Opening | 1 | Dark Horse | Bot laner | Tier 2 |
Emp on the MSI stage in 2017. Image Source: Riot Games (via https://www.facebook.com/lolesports)
Emp’s competitive League of Legends career lasted longer than most. 11 years and four different roles are not something that many professional players have achieved globally. Emp earned the players’ respect and was considered the best mid laner in Latin America South by the community. At the time of his passing, he was still an active coach and solo queue player, and his legacy will live on.
We send our sincere condolences to Emp’s friends and family.
Featured Image Source: Riot Games
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