Luke Littler sparks Raymond van Barneveld fury with teenager accused of blanking darts icon - 'A bit done'

Luke Littler sparks Raymond van Barneveld fury with teenager accused of blanking darts icon - 'A bit done'

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 22/03/2024

- 10:31

The teenager grew up idolising the Dutchman, who he beat at the World Darts Championship at the end of last year

Raymond van Barneveld has blasted Luke Littler, accusing the 17-year-old of blanking his messages.

Littler is currently a household name amid his stunning rise to prominence and has previously claimed he grew up idolising Van Barneveld when he was starting his darts career.


But 'Barney' has now revealed he's unhappy with the teenager.

Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl, the 56-year-old started by saying he found it 'weird' that Littler didn't seem up for having a discussion.

Luke Littler Raymond van Barneveld

Luke Littler has angered Raymond van Barneveld by failing to text the darts icon back

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"So that's the weird thing about it," he said when asked about Littler's admiration for him.

"I understood then that I am his example. That at the World Championship you don't chat I can understand, but other tournaments.... The other day I walked up to him to shake his hand.

"Then he took out his earplug for a moment and only said the most necessary thing."

Van Barneveld then revealed he took it upon himself to send Littler a message.

But he claims he was ignored and has now said he's 'done' with making an effort with the 17-year-old.

"To that he responded: yes, I only respond to text messages. Whatsapp I'm actually not on. Well fine, I sent a text message: congratulations with Wieze.

"And then nothing. Fine. Then I'm also a bit done with it.

"The next time I get asked if I want to do something for him, I'll pass."

He continued: "I understand that you get thousands of text messages but of course I'm not just anyone.

"If I've been your inspiration for years, I also expect a text message back."

While Van Barneveld is unhappy with Littler's failure to text back, he's still been blown away by the quality of the Briton.

The Dutchman also thinks Littler is wise beyond his years and believes he's got what it takes to spend a long time at the top.

"This guy is so brilliantly good. He doesn't worry about anything," he said.

"He's playing at seventeen like he's been doing this for years."

Littler has fared well while playing in the Premier League this season, picking up 13 points so far.

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Luke Littler Raymond van Barneveld

Luke Littler grew up idolising Raymond van Barneveld but hasn't been texting the darts legend back

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However, after losing to Michael Smith on Thursday night, his hopes of making the play-offs are hanging in the balance.

Littler is now fifth in the table, behind Smith, Nathan Aspinall, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries.

Humphries is starting to show why he's the world No 1 after winning the third Premier League night in a row.

But the 29-year-old, speaking after his triumph, expressed a belief that both Littler and Van Gerwen are capable of causing him problems.

"I'm not being arrogant, but if I play my A game there is only a couple of people who can test me in that manner - Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen are the only two, I think, when I'm at my best," he told Sky Sports.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler is the talk of the darts world amid his sensational form over the past few months

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"I'm not unbeatable but I'm putting in those kind of performances where it'll take something big to beat me.

"If I keep playing like this it's just going to take a tough performance to beat me."

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