In the vibrant arena of De Maaspoort in Den Bosch, 17-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler, known as “The Nuke,” proved once again why he’s the talk of the darts world. Just moments before his first-round clash against home favorite Dirk van Duijvenbode at the 2024 TOTO Dutch Darts Masters, Littler was spotted indulging in a different kind of competition—opening FIFA Ultimate Team packs on the EA FC 24 Web App. Far from a distraction, this pre-match ritual showcased Littler’s unshakable composure as he went on to deliver a commanding 6-2 victory, silencing a partisan Dutch crowd and setting up a blockbuster quarter-final against world number one Luke Humphries.
Littler, fresh off his maiden PDC senior title at the Bahrain Darts Masters, where he stunned Michael van Gerwen in the final, entered the Dutch Masters as a marked man. The teenager, who turned 17 just days before, had already pocketed £200,000 as the runner-up in the 2024 PDC World Championship, a tournament that catapulted him from obscurity to global stardom. His love for EA FC 24, particularly the Ultimate Team mode, has become a hallmark of his off-stage persona. Snapped by fellow darts star Michael Smith, Littler was seen managing his virtual squad, boasting an enviable front three of Thierry Henry, Mohamed Salah, and Gianfranco Zola, alongside Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and other high-value players. “Trying play darts and this little [expletive] playing FIFA,” Smith jokingly captioned his Instagram post, capturing Littler’s relaxed demeanor.
The Dutch crowd, fiercely supportive of van Duijvenbode, greeted Littler with boos as he stepped onto the stage. Unfazed, he responded with a cheeky grin and cupped his ears, turning the jeers into fuel. “I’m happy with the way I played,” Littler told reporters after the match. “I’m happy with my scoring and my finishing. In practice, nothing was going, but I’ve always said I feel like I throw well on stage.” His performance was a masterclass in focus, kicking off with a 180 on his first throw and culminating in a sublime 150 checkout to seal the win. Despite averaging a modest 90.85, Littler’s four 180s and clinical finishing overwhelmed van Duijvenbode, who struggled with a shoulder injury and distractions from a heckler.
The match wasn’t without its tense moments. Van Duijvenbode, visibly frustrated, gestured toward Littler after a poor visit, prompting the teenager to step back and take a sip of water, maintaining his cool. “I’m playing a Dutch player on his own turf, so I’ve got to get used to it,” Littler said, reflecting on the crowd’s hostility. “I proved them wrong again.” The victory set up a mouthwatering quarter-final against Humphries, a rematch of their 2024 World Championship final where Humphries had triumphed 7-4. Littler, eager for redemption, expressed his excitement: “I can’t wait to get back at the oche.”
Littler’s FIFA obsession has become a talking point among fans, with social media buzzing over his in-game purchases. Some speculated he had spent thousands of EA FC points, with one fan joking, “FIFA > DARTS? Luke Littler knows his priorities.” His pre-match ritual didn’t hinder his performance, as he dispatched van Duijvenbode with ease, even as other British stars like Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall fell to Dutch opponents. Smith, who lost 6-3 to Gian van Veen, was further irked by a photographer’s flash during his match, highlighting the intense atmosphere in Den Bosch.
Littler’s whirlwind rise has seen him embrace both fame and scrutiny. From meeting Manchester United legends like Sir Alex Ferguson to debunking rumors about nightly kebabs during the World Championship, he’s navigated the spotlight with a maturity beyond his years. “I had a kebab after my first win and didn’t have another in two weeks,” he clarified, setting the record straight. As he prepares for the Premier League Darts, where he’ll face Humphries again, Littler’s ability to balance his gaming passion with his darting prowess makes him a unique figure in the sport. With the Toon Greebe Trophy in his sights, Littler’s journey is proving that even a FIFA pack-opening session can’t derail his quest for darts domination.
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