The five-time world champion was sent home earlier than expected after a below-par performance on the Alexandra Palace stage, continuing a difficult campaign that has seen him struggle for consistency and confidence. Once one of the most feared players in world darts, Van Barneveld has found victories hard to come by over the past 12 months, and his latest defeat felt like a painful summary of a year that never truly got going.
Speaking after the match, the Dutchman did not attempt to hide his frustration. He acknowledged that his standards have dropped and conceded that too many performances in 2025 failed to reach the level he expects from himself. “It has been a very poor year for me,” Van Barneveld said, adding that the loss had forced him to take a step back and reassess both his game and his mindset.
Despite flashes of his trademark scoring power, Van Barneveld struggled on the doubles, a recurring issue throughout the season. Those missed opportunities proved costly, allowing his opponent to seize control and close out the match, while the former champion was left shaking his head in disbelief.
At 58, questions about Van Barneveld’s long-term future inevitably resurfaced. However, he stopped short of suggesting retirement, instead insisting that his immediate focus is on regrouping and rediscovering his hunger. He stressed that stepping away from the relentless schedule could help him clear his head and decide what comes next.
For now, the Ally Pally exit marks a sobering end to a disappointing year for one of darts’ most iconic figures. Whether Van Barneveld can reignite the spark that once made him a world champion remains to be seen, but his determination to reflect and rebuild suggests his story may not yet be over.
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