Remembering Yoppa: League of Legends Top Laner's Lasting Legacy
Pavle 'Yoppa' Kostić's League of Legends legacy lives on through elite top-lane play, a remarkable esports journey, and heartfelt tributes.
Pavle 'Yoppa' Kostić was more than just a top laner in League of Legends. To fans, teammates, and rivals across the European esports scene, he was a quiet force who could carry a game on his shoulders. His sudden death on November 23, 2021, after complications from a COVID infection, sent shockwaves through the community. In 2026, that loss still feels like a raw wound—a reminder that esports is built on people, not just pixels. 🕯️
Born in Serbia, Yoppa entered the professional League of Legends scene in 2016. He quickly made a name for himself in the UK League of Legends sphere, where his top lane play became the stuff of highlight reels. Shen, Trundle, Maokai—these were not flashy picks, but Yoppa played them like a craftsman. He knew when to soak pressure, when to flank, and when to slam a teamfight shut. In September 2016, after only a short time as a pro, he earned Esports News UK's 'MVP of the Week' award for his performance on Gnar. That award was no fluke. It was a signal.
His career was a whirlwind of opportunity. In 2016 alone, he joined Lions EK, TTD Toybox, and TCA eSports. Later, he became a member of the academy teams of Vitality and Mad Lions before joining Schalke Evolution. Each stop added another layer to his reputation: a reliable top laner, a team player, and a competitor who never backed down from a tough matchup. He was the kind of player coaches wanted in their corner—steady as a rock, clutch when it mattered.
| Team | Era | Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Lions EK | 2016 | Early UK scene breakout |
| TTD Toybox | 2016 | Pro development and teamfighting |
| TCA eSports | 2016 | More top lane experience |
| Vitality Academy | Later | High-level academy competition |
| Mad Lions Academy | Later | European development pipeline |
| Schalke Evolution | Latest | PRM Pro Division podium finishes |
The tributes that poured in after his death were not just polite gestures. They were gut punches. Team Vitality's new owner, Fabian 'Neo' Devide, was one of the first to respond. Team Vitality expressed deepest condolences to Yoppa's family, remembered his finest moments, and shared the sadness with the world. Schalke 04 Evolution, Yoppa's latest team, released a statement that still echoes: 'We are shocked and speechless. FC Schalke 04 Esports mourns Pavle Yoppa Kostić. Our condolences go out to his family, loved ones and friends. We will always cherish his memory.' Hundreds of others—teammates, team owners, media members, fans—flooded social media with grief. The phrase 'gone too soon' was everywhere, and it fit.
Yoppa's path crossed with many players who are now well-known in both pro and casual scenes. Raizins, the support player who later became a streamer for London Esports, and Deadly, the ADC who departed from BT Excel, are just two of the many names that shared a stage with him. That web of connections shows how deeply Yoppa was woven into the fabric of European League of Legends. He was not a lone wolf; he was a teammate, a friend, and a brother in arms. 🤝
Schalke Evolution's recent results before his passing underline how much he still had to give. With Yoppa as their top laner, the team won third place in the PRM Pro Division 2021 Winter Cup. They had also earned third place at the PRM Pro Division 2021 Spring Playoffs. Those podium finishes were not just team achievements; they were proof that Yoppa's veteran presence could elevate a roster. He was the tip of the spear, the anchor in the top lane, the guy who made the hard plays look easy.
In 2026, the League of Legends community has changed. New champions, new metas, new rivalries. But the memory of Yoppa remains. Fans still post clips of his Gnar ultimates. Former teammates still tell stories about his calm voice in comms. And every time a top laner sacrifices a wave to help the team, somewhere a little nod goes out to Yoppa. That is the thing about esports legacies: they do not fade when the servers reset. They live in the people who watched, learned, and loved the game alongside him. 💙
His career may have only just begun, but his impact was already enormous. Yoppa showed that you do not need to be the loudest voice to lead. You do not need to play the flashiest champion to be a star. You just need to show up, do your job, and lift your team. That is a lesson that will outlast any patch. Rest in peace, Pavle 'Yoppa' Kostić. You will always be remembered.