VAN BARNEVELD SHUTS DOWN RETIREMENT TALK

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD insists he is not “quitting” darts after announcing a temporary break from the sport.

The five-time world champion sparked fears of retirement earlier this week after opening up on his miserable form and difficult mindset during a nightmare 2025 campaign. 

Barney even described the season as “his worst year ever” and admitted he feels trapped in “a cycle of suffering that just won’t stop”. 

Those comments immediately led to speculation that the Dutch legend could be preparing to walk away for good.  

But Van Barneveld has now moved to reassure fans he will continue to compete on the ProTour whilst skipping certain major events. 

He told NOS: “All of England is in a frenzy. They think I’m stopping, but this break basically means I won’t be playing the World Matchplay in July. It’s all dramatic at the moment.

“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing. Everyone thinks I’m quitting, but that’s absolutely not the case.” 

It had already appeared increasingly likely that Van Barneveld would miss the World Matchplay in Blackpool this summer after slipping well outside the qualification spots in the rankings. 

The world No38 who reached the final of the Premier Event in 2010, has struggled badly for consistency throughout the season. 

Van Barneveld played at the Players Championship event in Leicester on Monday before sitting out Tuesday’s tournament. 

However, the 59-year-old is still expected to return for Players Championship 19 and 20 in early June. 

Part of his absence is also due to a planned family holiday to Disneyland with his children, meaning he will miss several Euro Tour qualifiers and at least one Euro Tour event.

Image by Taylor Lanning.