Michael van Gerwen hasn’t been afraid to criticise Luke Littler (Image: Getty)
A fascinating rivalry is developing between darting juggernauts and The finest player of his generation and one of the greatest of all time versus the teen sensation who has taken sporting world – not just – by storm.
Van Gerwen had some choice words for the new world champion ahead of the start of the for rocking up 45 minutes late for a media day. The Dutchman didn’t mince his words, saying the needs to “stop treating him as a baby”.
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.”
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The pair went on to have a on night one in Belfast, which Van Gerwen edged 6-5 despite Littler posting an incredible average of almost 114. There is clearly plenty of respect between the pair.
But while has adopted more of a big brother approach to Littler, the brutally honest Dutchman hasn’t been afraid to criticise Littler and the coverage he has received since bursting onto the scene.
Friendly choke
Littler and Van Gerwen have already played each other numerous times, in the Premier League, at the World Matchplay and the World Championship final. One meeting, at the Czech Open last year, saw Littler storm to a 6-1 victory with an average of 110.57.
Despite the scoreline, Van Gerwen’s average was even higher at 112.19. Afterwards, he couldn’t help but joke about the result, sharing a picture of him ‘strangling’ his young rival in jest. MVG wrote: “This is not gonna happen again. Fantastic game by @LukeTheNuke180 – what a talent. All the best.”
Van Gerwen jokingly ‘chokes’ Littler after a match on the Euro Tour last year (Image: @mvg180/Instagram)
Luke Humphries unfairness
Van Gerwen is one of several players who believe that Littler’s emergence has unfairly overshadowed Humphries’s exploits over the last 18 months. Cool Hand won three major tournaments prior to beating the Nuke in the 2024 World Championship final. He then added the World Cup, which he won for England with Michael Smith, and the World Matchplay to his list of big titles.
Van Gerwen didn’t hold back in saying Humphries, the world No.1, deserves more recognition. 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.”
Van Gerwen went even further later in the year, 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.”
Van Gerwen believes Luke Humphries deserves more respect (Image: Getty)
‘Keep crying’
As a three-time world champion, Van Gerwen knew how Littler would have felt as the youngster lifted the trophy with a There was a great show of respect between the pair after the match, with Littler revealing what the runner-up said to him on stage.
“He said just enjoy it,” “But then he went over slightly to the side, and he said, ‘keep crying boy, keep crying’.”
Van Gerwen showed his class by lavishing praise on Littler afterwards. He said: “I sometimes say that every 17 years, a star gets born, and he is one of them. He did well and he deserves it.
“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.”