Michael van Gerwen has hit out at Dirk van Duijvenbode after his brutal snub in favour of Luke Littler in recent comments.
Van Gerwen has had a tricky year so far while Littler has exploded onto the scene since his dream run to the PDC World Championship final earlier this year.
While Littler might have lost to Luke Humphries in the final, the 17-year-old has become a household name in darts – winning the Premier League in his maiden appearance in the competition.
At such a young age, Littler has already had a huge impact on darts, attracting a whole new crowd to the sport while Van Duijvenbode was full of praise for the teenager.
Michael van Gerwen has hit out at comments made about him
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The Dutchman said that the youngster is much better than Van Gerwen was at the same age, and the Green Machine is not happy.
Speaking to the Daily Express, the three-time world champion hit back at his compatriot and said: “I don’t even know that Dirk watched darts at that moment or was playing at that moment. I don’t know.
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“So you can’t really compare them with each other. Same as now, you didn’t have all the television channels, you only had the BBC.
“Times are moving forward. But I’m not taking it personally, people are allowed to have their own opinions and sometimes they just want to say something because they don’t know any better.”
Van Gerwen is largely seen as the best darts player in the world, taking the mantle from Phil Taylor after the darting legend retired from the PDC circuit in 2018 – though he did returned for a brief spell in 2022.
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But by his lofty standards, he has not been at his very best over the last 12 months.
In fact, his victory at the Hungarian Darts Trophy earlier this month was his first European Tour title in 16 months by beating countryman Gian van Veen 8-7.
Just days before, he won his first ranking tournament of the year when he vlaimed victory at the Players Championship 21.
Luke Littler has had an incredible year in darts so far
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This might be the turn in form that MVG has been looking for in such a long time and he has admitted he has needed that winning feeling again.
“This was really important – I had to battle really hard,” admitted Van Gerwen. “I was struggling in the final and Gian took advantage, but I was more battling with myself.
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Michael van Gerwen has returned to winning ways recently
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“The crowd gave me so much energy and to give them something back, I’m over the moon.
“I think I’m on the right way, especially with my new darts. I missed the winning feeling for a long time but now everything falls into place.
“I want to win more and my love for the game is still there. I need to make sure I keep this momentum going.”