The darts world is seeing an intriguing rivalry develop between Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler.
It pits the greatest player of his generation and one of the best of all time versus the teen sensation who has transcended the darting world. Prior to the beginning of the Premier League, Van Gerwen had stern words for the new world champion, who arrived 45 minutes late for a media day.
The forthright Dutchman asserted that the PDC should “stop treating him as a baby”. Elaborating on his point, he added: “He’s 18-years-old. It’s a professional sport, so you have to be responsible for your actions, which are as simple as that.
“If he turns up late for an interview, I don’t really mind. But seven other people were waiting for him, that’s not really nice.”
The duo went on to deliver a thriller in their Belfast quarter-final, with Van Gerwen edging to a 6-5 victory even as Littler wowed with an average just shy of 114. The mutual respect between the pair is evident, but MVG stops well short of Luke Humphries’ more brotherly approach to the youngster.
Van Gerwen hasn’t been afraid to criticise Littler and the coverage he has received since bursting onto the scene. Here’s a round of what Van Gerwen has said about Littler…
Friendly choke
The pair have already played each other on numerous occasions. One meeting, at the Czech Open last year, saw Littler storm to a 6-1 victory with an average of 110.57. Incredibly, Van Gerwen’s average was even higher at 112.19.
He still managed a bit of banter, playfully posting an image of him pretending to strangle Littler and wrote: “This is not gonna happen again. Fantastic game by @LukeTheNuke180 – what a talent. All the best.”
Luke Humphries unfairness
However, MVG is among those who reckon that Littler’s rapid rise has unfairly dimmed the limelight on Humphries’ remarkable achievements. Before beating the Nuke in the 2024 World Championship final, Cool Hand had clinched three major titles in quick succession and continued his streak by winning the World Cup with Michael Smith and the World Matchplay.
Speaking last year, Van Gerwen didn’t shy away from pointing out that Humphries warrants more praise. He said: “People forget what kind of tournament [the World Championship] Luke Humphries had. It’s a little bit unfair to the guy. Luke Littler had a fantastic tournament but it has taken away the glory of Luke Humphries a little bit, I think.”
Later in the year, Van Gerwen struck a similar tone, saying: “I actually think it’s a bit scandalous toward Luke Humphries. That guy is the world champion, won all the major majors last year and nobody talks about him. Deep down, that hurts him.”
‘Keep crying’ comment
Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, could relate to young Littler’s euphoria as the prodigy clinched the 2025 World Championship with an stunning 7-3 win.
“He said just enjoy it,” revealed Littler. “But then he went over slightly to the side and he said, ‘keep crying boy, keep crying’.”
Van Gerwen gave Littler high praise and painfully admitted that he just wasn’t good enough to stop him at Ally Pally. “I sometimes say that every 17 years, a star gets born, and he is one of them. He did well and he deserves it,” he said.
“Of course, it hurts, but that’s how it should be. If it doesn’t hurt, you’re not going to be a sportsman. I have to move on, I have to make sure I keep playing better. I’m an old b****** compared to him! I have to take this on the chin.”