The 2025 League of Legends World Championship introduces its official anthem, Sacrifice, performed by G.E.M. Serving as a celebration of fifteen years of global competition, the song connects the game’s past and present through both sound and imagery. Its release marks another milestone in the ongoing evolution of the Worlds tradition.
The accompanying music video enhances this tribute with visual nods to memorable plays, players, and moments that shaped the tournament’s history. Fans have quickly begun identifying hidden details and references, turning the video into a collective experience of recognition and nostalgia across the League of Legends community.
Top five references and easter eggs in the Worlds 2025 song Sacrifice music video
Honorable mention: NRG eliminates G2 from contention
The closing sequence of the Sacrifice music video includes a subtle nod to NRG’s victory over G2 Esports during the 2023 Worlds Swiss Stage. The clip appears briefly but clearly symbolizes the North American organization’s defining upset that forced G2 into a must-win match against Bilibili Gaming.
Although that loss did not immediately end G2’s run, it marked a turning point for both teams. The reference acknowledges a rare moment when a North American squad disrupted the European powerhouse’s momentum.
| Match | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| NRG vs G2 Esports | Worlds 2023 Swiss Stage | NRG win 2–0 |
This small inclusion gives fans from the LCS region a moment of pride in a video otherwise dominated by international highlights.
GAM CEO TK Nguyen’s cameo
A quick frame in the montage section shows a familiar face—GAM Esports CEO TK Nguyen. His brief appearance mirrors an iconic photograph from the 2022 World Championship, where his enthusiasm for his team became widely recognized.
Nguyen’s energy during international events has long represented the passion of Vietnamese fans. Including him in the Sacrifice video honors not only GAM’s legacy but also the region’s growing influence in global competition.
Key detail: The shot appears just before the scene depicting the Summoner’s Cup being lifted, symbolizing the collective spirit of all teams that have contributed to the tournament’s history.
TheShy’s Aatrox outplay against G2 in 2018
One of the most visually striking recreations in the video pays tribute to Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok’s legendary Aatrox play during the 2018 semifinals. The sequence shows TheShy diving into G2’s formation, activating his ultimate, and eliminating multiple opponents despite being momentarily locked down by Lissandra’s ultimate.
The moment remains one of the cleanest mechanical displays in Worlds history. By reproducing it with modern animation, the Sacrifice video connects a new generation of viewers to a defining play that helped Invictus Gaming secure their path to the championship.
Quick facts:
- Event: Worlds 2018 Semifinals
- Match: Invictus Gaming vs G2 Esports
- Champion: Aatrox
- Outcome: IG advanced to the final and later won Worlds 2018
Caps’ Sylas and Ruler’s Ashe duel from Worlds 2020
The video revisits the quarterfinal clash between G2 Esports and Gen.G in 2020, focusing on Rasmus “Caps” Winther’s Sylas and Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk’s Ashe. The recreation captures the moment Ruler’s Enchanted Crystal Arrow stuns Caps, followed by his immediate activation of Zhonya’s Hourglass to avoid a lethal spear.
Moments later, Sylas retaliates by firing a stolen Ashe ultimate that hits Kim “Clid” Tae-min, sealing G2’s advantage. The inclusion highlights the precision and timing that defined that exchange, reminding viewers how small decisions can alter the course of a series.
| Player | Champion | Key Ability Used | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruler | Ashe | Enchanted Crystal Arrow | Initiated the duel |
| Caps | Sylas | Hijacked Arrow | Turned fight in G2’s favor |
Although G2 later fell to DAMWON Gaming in the semifinals, the clip immortalizes one of their most technically impressive moments at Worlds.
Levi’s Karthus ultimate saves Vietnam’s hopes in 2022
Another detailed callback centers on Đỗ “Levi” Duy Khánh’s Karthus performance against Top Esports during the 2022 group stage. The video shows Levi channeling Requiem as his team’s Nexus faces destruction, mirroring the real-life play that wiped out TES and secured a shocking victory for GAM Esports.
The phrase “GAM TIME” flashes across the scene, reinforcing the emotional weight of that win. For many fans, this match represented Vietnam’s resilience on the world stage, proving that even against top-tier opponents, a single well-timed ultimate can change everything.
Notable details:
- Event: Worlds 2022 Group Stage
- Match: GAM Esports vs Top Esports
- Result: GAM victory via Karthus Requiem turnaround
This Easter egg stands out for celebrating a moment often overlooked outside the Vietnamese fanbase, giving deserved recognition to one of the region’s most memorable triumphs.
Faker’s Azir play against Ruler in the 2022 semifinals
The final major reference honors Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok’s Azir moment against JD Gaming’s Ruler during the 2022 semifinals. The animation mirrors the instant when Ruler attempted to escape with Flash, only for Faker to follow and execute a perfectly timed Emperor’s Divide that isolated the enemy marksman.
That single maneuver reversed a losing fight and swung the game in T1’s favor. The video’s depiction captures the precision and composure that have defined Faker’s career.
Play breakdown:
- Ruler’s Varus Flashes to safety.
- Faker instantly mirrors the move.
- Emperor’s Divide pins Ruler, securing the teamfight.
Although T1 later lost to DRX in the grand final, this clip preserves one of the most technically sound plays from that tournament. It serves as a reminder of Faker’s enduring relevance across multiple Worlds eras.
Each of these moments, from NRG’s upset to Faker’s calculated execution, reflects how Sacrifice weaves fifteen years of competitive history into a single narrative. The music video’s attention to detail allows fans to relive defining plays and recognize the players who shaped the legacy of League of Legends esports.
