League of Legends 2021 MSI Group C Preview

Next in our League of Legends Esports series of MSI previews is Group C. This grouping has four teams, Cloud9, Damwon Kia, Infinity Esports, and Detonation FocusMe. Let’s take about how they got to MSI and which teams have a chance to advance to the top six rumble group stage.

The first team in the group is Cloud9. Cloud9 had the top record in the Spring Split at 13-5. They then went through the winner’s bracket, beating 100 Thieves, and Team Liquid twice to earn the title.

Cloud9 would have gone to MSI in 2020, however, the event was canceled.  Perkz went in 2019 however and won the event as a member of G2. He is the only one who can try and defend his title in 2021 as  G2 didn’t qualify for MSI. Cloud9 is also looking to build off NA making a strong run in 2019 when Team Liquid lost to G2 in that MSI finals.

Group C is set for the MSI 2021

With Cloud9 having the most success compared to any other LCS team at international events, it’s a pretty safe bet to think that they will at least be able to reach the top six. Though they will get a strong test when they face Damwon Kia.

Speaking of, the second team in the group is defending World champions Damwon Kia. During the regular season, they went 16-2 and earned the top spot in the playoffs. They then won a pair of playoff series 3-0 against Hanwa Life and Gen.G to earn a spot at MSI.

The roster returns four of five starters from the World champion team. The only difference is Kim “Khan”  Dong-ha is the new top laner. I wouldn’t say that’s a downgrade from Nuguri. So this team is as stacked on paper as ever. I would call them the tournament, not just the group favorites.

The third team in this group is Infinity Esports. They are the champions of the LLA.  This is their first trip to MSI and their second international apprence with the last one being at Worlds in 2018.  Though this is the third MSI trip for ADC Matías “WhiteLotus” Musso.

Top Laner Mateo Alejandro “Buggax” Aroztegui Zamora was a part of the Isurus squad that earned an MSI birth in 2019 as well, giving this team some international tournament experience. I have a feeling a lot of people underrate this team. Granted, I still think they will struggle against the top two teams in Cloud9 and Damwon Kia.

The final team in this group is Detonation FocusMe out of the LJL.  After missing out on Worlds in 2020 they return to international tournament play. They did make an appearance at 2019 MSI, where they finished in the 8th-9th place spot after going 4-2 and finishing second in their play-in group. Honestly, I think that’s about as high as they will ever place. They have the same lineup that has failed over and over at international events coming back and I just don’t see them improving.

Though honestly, they might be worth watching to see if Damwon Kia can speed run this team and set a world record for the fastest MSI game. Cloud9 has also had this team’s number in prior international play and they have gotten stronger while DFM has been stagnant. Thanks for the free wins.

This group feels like it has the most separation between how good teams are. You have the best team at MSI  and easily one, maybe two of the worst, depending on how you value Infinity. It shouldn’t be hard for the favorites Cloud9 and Damwon Kia to advance.