Another ERL veteran lays down his arms. One week after Matúš "Neon" Jakubčík, Rúben "Rhuckz" Barbosa announced his retirement this Monday. “For the last 11 years I've been playing non-stop and working to improve every day, and I'm happy I did it,” the Portuguese support wrote on X. “The league gave me everything I have today, and it has been my life for a long time. As I always said: I will play as long as I wake up and I'm happy to queue up for soloQ, but the last few splits have been nothing but frustrating. With that said, it's better to leave League before it leaves me.”

Throughout his journey, Rhuckz secured three titles. The first came in his home country, in the LPLOL in 2018, wearing the colours of K1CK eSports Club. The following year, he crossed the border and settled in Spain, the country where he would spend the majority of his career. After an unremarkable 2019 season, the gamble paid off in 2020: Rhuckz reached the Spring finals and went on to win the Summer Split of the SuperLiga with Movistar Riders. The 2021 season would prove to be one of deep frustration for the Portuguese player. Rhuckz briefly switched ERLs, competing in the NLC with Fnatic Rising. He was defeated in both domestic finals, as well as in the Summer European Masters final—losing to Karmine Corp.

A Call-Up for Worlds

Rhuckz remained with the Black and Orange in 2022, though Fnatic’s academy team shifted ERLs, bringing the support player back to Spain. There, he claimed his third title by winning the Spring Split of the SuperLiga. At the end of the season, his career took an unexpected turn. After Zdravets "Hylissang" Galabov tested positive for COVID-19, he was ruled out of the opening matches of Worlds with the main roster. Rhuckz, who had never played at Tier 1 level before, was called up at the last minute to fill in for the Bulgarian veteran at the start of the tournament. The Portuguese player rose to the occasion with remarkable composure—he did not die once across the two matches he played.

His stand-in performance convinced Fnatic management, who later parted ways with Hylissang and promoted Rhuckz to the main roster for the start of the 2023 LEC season. However, both Fnatic and Rhuckz struggled to find their footing. The team finished ninth in the EMEA elite, and the support player was swiftly replaced. He returned to the academy setup and once again rejoined the SuperLiga for the remainder of the 2023 season. Since then, Rhuckz has not had another opportunity to extend his trophy cabinet.

He briefly served as assistant coach for Case Esports at the end of 2023, helping the team—owned by footballer Casemiro—earn promotion to the LVP, and joined the active roster at the beginning of 2024. However, the team disbanded mid-season, and Rhuckz subsequently signed with KOI. His stint there was largely inconsequential, as was his brief spell with Ramboot Club at the start of 2025.

From Player to Coach

“I’ve lived the dream of every single person that plays League of Legends,” the Portuguese player reflected in his farewell message. Rhuckz confirmed that he will remain in esports but will now focus on the role of positional coach. “I had a small experience coaching and I loved it—Spanish 2nd Division win and promoted to LVP with CASE—it’s something I believe suits me and my personality. I will use this experience and knowledge to move forward into a coaching role and start anew by giving back to others everything I’ve learned.”