After the first round exit at the World Cup, darts icon Raymond van Barneveld looked back with disillusionment on “a wasted year” – and launched into a ruthless self-criticism. “Christmas means nothing to me this year. I have nothing to celebrate,” the five-time world champion told the Dutch portal NU.nl after he clearly failed against Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont.
Despite calls from many quarters, the 58-year-old is not considering resigning again – primarily for financial reasons. “I did earn millions in prize money, but a lot of it went to the tax authorities and was for my divorce and travel expenses. I have to keep going,” said van Barneveld, who ended his career in December 2019 but announced his comeback almost a year later.
The Dutchman knows that a radical change of course is needed in mental and physical terms. “I’d like to lose weight and get fitter, but I’m pretty lazy,” he admitted: “Sometimes I sit on the sofa for days, scrolling through my phone and doing nothing. I need someone to get me off the couch.” For years he has not been able to “kick himself in the butt”.
Motivation problems hinder van Barneveld. That’s why he wants a “driver”, a companion, someone who would say: “Mr. Van Barneveld, you too have to complete a regular working day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., just like every other citizen. After that, it’s free time.”
The problem? This person must be able to deal with him. “I’m not exactly in a good mood after defeats,” said van Barneveld, adding that such a “supervisor” costs 2,000 to 4,000 euros per month. “If you don’t win a lot of prize money yourself, you just have to go for it. I hope there are sponsors who can help.”
Van Barneveld still wants to continue playing until he is 60. Although he has been “scared to death” about his level for three years. He might experience two more world championships, “unless I no longer qualify for them. Then the fun will quickly be over,” said van Barneveld.
Someone recently told him that he should just enjoy throwing – but: “That’s the stupidest thing you could say to me. Winning is the only thing that counts. From now on, everything else has to take a back seat.”
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