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‘I’m not just anyone’ – Raymond van Barneveld says he’s ‘a bit done with’ Luke Littler as he reveals awkward text chat
Littler grew up idolising the Dutch legend but Barney isn't feeling the love anymore
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD has revealed he had an awkward text chat with Luke Littler after reaching out to the arrows wonderkid.
The five-time world champion also admitted he's "a bit done with" the teenage darts sensation.
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Littler dumped Van Barneveld out of the PDC World Darts Championships in December on route to reaching the final.
He has since continued his meteoric rise in the Premier League and by winning his first European Tour event earlier this month.
However, Barney has now lifted the lid on a recent exchange with Littler, who grew up idolising the the Dutchman.
He told : "So that's the weird thing about it. I understood then that I am his example.
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"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 sent Littler a message to congratulate him on his victory at the Belgian Darts Open.
He added: "To that he responded: yes, I only respond to text messages. Whatsapp I'm actually not on.
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"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."
The 56-year-old 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."
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Then whilst laughing, Barney said: "Dude's on his phone all day, f*** off."
Despite their awkward conversation, Van Barneveld was full of praise for Littler's performances, explaining: "This guy is so brilliantly good.
"He doesn't worry about anything. He's playing at 17 like he's been doing this for years."
The world number 30 has enjoyed a successful week himself after winning Players Championship 5 in Hildesheim on Monday.
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He beat Stephen Bunting 8-1 in the final to claim his first Players Championship triumph of the year.
Meanwhile, Littler was beaten 6-4 by Michael Smith in their Premier League Darts quarter-final in Dublin on Thursday.
The result sees the Nuke drop out of the top four in the standings ahead of night nine in Belfast next week.
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