ASPINALL TIPS LITTLER TO RETIRE IN FIVE YEARS

NATHAN ASPINALL has predicted that Luke Littler will walk away from the sport within five years to pursue a career in social media. 

World No. 2 Littler became the youngest world champion at 17-years-old earlier this year.  

‘The Nuke’s’ record-breaking achievements have continued, with Littler setting a new Premier League points record last Thursday. 

Teen sensation Littler is widely backed to one day chase down Phil Taylor’s legendary haul of 16 world championships. 

But two-time major winner Aspinall isn’t convinced, suggesting Littler won’t be in the game long enough to break the feat. 

He told talkSPORT: “I think he’ll be off in about five years.  

“He’s 18. He does a lot on YouTube, he’s good mates with Angryginge. 

“I can see him going down that path, in my opinion. 

“He’s already getting fed up with playing and travelling all the time, and he’s only been doing it 12 months. 

“I don’t think he’ll be around for 16 years, let alone winning 16 world titles. 

“If he does, fair play to him. But I can’t see it.” 

Littler has appeared in multiple YouTube videos with Angryginge. 

The Warrington whizkid also nearly lost to the social media star in a game of darts in February. 

Littler already boasts a whopping 1.9 million followers on Instagram.  

That’s nearly double the combined total of his oche rivals Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price. 

In addition to his seven-figure online following, Littler also has a bank account balance to match. 

And he’s got the chance to add even more to it on Thursday as he chases back-to-back titles in the Premier League play-offs. 

Littler will face Price in a best-of-19 legs semi-final, with the winner going on to meet either Humphries or Aspinall in the final at the O2. 

Image by Taylor Lanning.