Daveeys: Tributes pour in for Valorant player

The Valorant community has offered tributes to mourn the death of professional player Santiago “Daveeys” Ruiz.

KRÜ Esports’ Valorant player Santiago “Daveeys” Ruiz has passed away at age 23, as revealed by the organization. The Colombian professional had recently taken part in Champions 2023 and turned 23 on September 2.

Es con profunda tristeza que tenemos que comunicarles que, tras sufrir una descompensación el domingo, falleció @Daveeys21.

No hay forma de suavizar esto, nos tomó a todos por sorpresa.

Daveeys, Santi, era un player espectacular y un compañero de primera. Con su característica… pic.twitter.com/muuHmBfCII

— KRÜ Esports (@KRUesports) September 4, 2023

This saddening death of such a young player had many members of the Valorant community express their tributes. “When I was sick, you were always there to cheer me up and move me, you were and will continue to be my friend wherever you are, I will always carry you with me in my mind in everything we share together.” – said teammate Nicolas “Klaus” Ferrari.

Cuando yo estaba mal vos estabas siempre ahi para animarme y movitarme, fuiste y vas a segur siendo mi amigo donde sea que estes siempre te voy llevar conmigo en mi mente en todo lo que compartimos juntos.

Te voy a extrañar como nunca

Te quiero amigo QEPD https://t.co/WZkx9FFiAr

— Klaus (@KlaussOW) September 4, 2023

The in-game leader of KRÜ and another squadmate of Daveeys, Marco “Melser” Machuca, also spoke fondly about Santiago, stating, “I still feel like it's all a dream and I have a hard time expressing myself. During what we shared I met a wonderful person, who today is difficult to find with such a good heart and above all a lot of passion for what he does. You had a promising future and it was getting better and better and you deserved it, mate. Rest in peace, I'm sure you're in a much better place and thanks for crossing paths with me.”

Aún siento que es todo un sueño y me cuesta mucho expresarme.
Durante lo que compartimos conocí una persona maravillosa, que hoy es difícil de encontrar de tan buen corazón y con sobre todo mucha pasión por lo que hace. Tenias un futuro prometedor y cada vez mejor y te lo… https://t.co/Dzw5zvsaOZ

— KRÜ Melser (@Melserlol) September 4, 2023

Daveeys’ Career

Daveeys started his Esports journey with CSGO in 2015 for a team called Atyk Gaming. He retired from professional play in 2018, saying, “Also, for those wondering in my future I'm gonna go back to my university career and focus mainly on it, I have played video games since I was 4 years old so I don't think it's something that I'm gonna leave completely.” The Colombian returned to CSGO in 2019, and his biggest achievements in that game come from Infinity Esports.

KRU Esports Valorant Player Daveeys

Credit: Riot Games

Santiago once again retired from CSGO in 2020, this time to pursue a career in Valorant, where he started his career with a team called LazerClan. In October of 2022, Daveeys joined KRÜ Esports’ lineup, and his excellent prowess in the Americas LCQ helped the team reach Champions 2023.