In the electrifying atmosphere of Alexandra Palace, where the roar of darts fans echoes like thunder, five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld stepped onto the stage for what many hoped would be a triumphant return to form. The 58-year-old Dutch legend, affectionately known as Barney, entered to the iconic strains of “Eye of the Tiger,” met by a deafening ovation from the packed crowd. This was his 33rd appearance at the PDC World Darts Championship, a record-tying feat shared only with Steve Beaton. But what unfolded next would leave fans heartbroken, sparking widespread concern for the icon who once dominated the oche.
Facing Stefan Bellmont, a Swiss qualifier ranked 111th in the PDC Order of Merit and without a tour card, Van Barneveld started brightly. He fired in a 180 early on and claimed the opening leg, igniting hopes of a vintage performance. The Ally Pally faithful, clad in orange and chanting “Bar-ney! Bar-ney!”, believed their hero was ready to channel the magic of his glory days—those unforgettable triumphs, including the epic 2007 sudden-death final victory over Phil Taylor. Yet, the momentum shifted brutally. Bellmont, in the performance of his life, reeled off the next eight legs in a row, turning the match into a one-sided demolition. Van Barneveld clawed back one more leg in the third set, briefly silencing the stunned arena, but it wasn’t enough. He missed a crucial 141 checkout on the brink of saving the set, and Bellmont sealed a historic 3-0 straight-sets whitewash, winning just 2 legs out of the match for the veteran.
Statistically, it was baffling. Barney averaged a solid 92.5, outpacing Bellmont’s 91.36 and hitting more 100s, including his lone maximum of the night. But he squandered chance after chance, converting just 2 of 8 doubles attempts and bungling key finishes like a 110 on double 16. Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle called it “a disaster,” capturing the agony of watching a giant falter. As the final dart thudded home, Van Barneveld stood frozen, his face a mask of resignation. Visibly emotional, he wiped his right eye with his sleeve before trudging offstage—a poignant image that hit fans like a gut punch.
In the heated post-match interview with Viaplay, the raw pain poured out. “Now I’m out. It’s been a really bad year,” he admitted, his voice heavy with hurt. “On paper, I’m a five-time world champion, but it just doesn’t seem to be happening. Of course, that hurts. Then you have to ask yourself what to do next? So yes, I have homework to do because this is painful.” Ever the sportsman, he graciously praised his conqueror: “He played fantastically, so I think he deserved to win. He just gave it his all. Compliments.” Digging deeper into his struggles, Barney confessed the torment of practice versus reality: “On the throw-in board, I’ve been world champion five times, maybe even 10 times… But somehow, it doesn’t show in the matches. Why not? I can’t answer that.”
The defeat marked his second straight first-round exit—last year to Nick Kenny—capping a dismal season where he tumbled out of the top 32 and entered unseeded. Fans, who have idolized him since his BDO days, flooded social media with anguish. “Barneveld a sad shadow of his former self tonight at the Ally Pally,” one lamented. “Saddens me to see Barney like this, been my favourite player since his BDO days,” wrote another. Calls for retirement rang out: “Time to call it a day Barney. What a fantastic career he’s had but the game’s up.” Even commentator Glen Durrant, a former Lakeside champion, fought back emotion on Sky: “I don’t want to kick a player when he’s down. He didn’t look happy on there… Father Time does catch up on you. It’s difficult, that longevity… To see a great, an icon… it’s a tough one as a fan to see as well. I hope Barney bounces back.”
This isn’t uncharted territory for Van Barneveld. He dramatically retired after the 2020 World Championship, citing a lack of drive and fitness—”I can’t do this every week any more”—only to roar back via Q-School in 2021 and reclaim top-32 status. Now, echoing those dark days, he pondered the toll: “You don’t want to suffer like this every week. If you can only win two legs against someone who doesn’t have a tour card, that speaks volumes.” “No one wants to suffer every week. This one hurts,” he added starkly. Looking ahead, he’s hinted at scaling back for 2026: “I really need to slow things down… It’s all becoming a bit too much. Maybe cut back on the ProTours. I’ll keep playing in the Euro Tours as long as I’m in the top 16.”
As Bellmont advanced to face Damon Heta, etching his name in history as Switzerland’s first World Championship winner, the darts world held its breath for Barney. His legacy—multiple world titles, unforgettable walk-ons, and inspiring a generation of Dutch talent—remains untouchable. Yet this harrowing night has fans praying it’s not the end, urging the fighter in him to rise once more. For now, the Eye of the Tiger flickers dimly, but darts legends have a habit of defying the odds. Will Van Barneveld summon one last roar? Only time—and perhaps a winter of reflection—will tell.
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