‘People don’t recognise me anymore’ – Former darts world champion, 57, forced to explain who he is to fans
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DARTS legend Raymond van Barneveld has noticed that people no longer "recognise him". The five-time world champion was forced to explain who he was to fans before making his return to the Ally Pally stage this Christmas. The 57-year-old Dutchman is no longer considered among the top contenders to steal the crown from Luke Humphries.
![[Raymond van Barneveld revealed that 'people don't recognise him anymore']](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/raymond-van-barneveld-netherlands-celebrates-868784521_302529.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And 'Barney' has acknowledged that attention is mostly focused on others, such as Luke Littler, these days. "Really, I go through it seriously. Then they recognise something and ask 'are you by any chance a colleague?'. "Then I ask if they also happen to be a professional dart player.
![[Van Barneveld takes on the winner of Nick Kenny vs Stowe Buntz on Saturday]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/raymond-van-barneveld-956601068.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
"I also have to explain to quite a few people if I still play darts, yes or no. "Since it's no longer broadcast on the open net, a lot of people don't see you anymore. "It used to be about Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and me, but I'm not on a poster anymore.
![[Julia Evans supported her husband at the 2022 World Darts Championship]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/bebd268c-6473-4de2-b519-f4487239e5be.webp?strip=all&w=619)
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS. "There is no one taking into account that Raymond van Barneveld is going to win the world title for a while.". Van Barneveld takes on the winner of Nick Kenny vs Stowe Buntz on Saturday 21 December. Fans were devastated when the Dutchman retired in 2019 after a battle with depression.
Crushing guilt after his first wife of 25 years Sylvia was held at gunpoint by armed raiders at their home in The Hague leading to a heartbreaking divorce. Van Barneveld was in Barnsley, playing an exhibition tournament at the time. Within a year he reversed his decision and worked hard to secure his PDC Tour Card back.
