Former Isurus Gaming player and coach Emp passes away at age 29

Naerlyn Published December 17, 2025

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.

11 years of competition across 4 roles

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.

Emp on the MSI stage in 2017. Image Source: Riot Games (via https://www.facebook.com/lolesports)

The legacy of the best mid laner in Latin America South

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