Darts star Raymond van Barneveld, 57, ‘financially not ready to stop’ as he reveals ‘it’s not that easy anymore’

2 weeks ago 9

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD has revealed he is financially not ready to retire from darts.

The Dutchman, 57, won five world titles between 1998 and 2007 and had an all-time great rivalry with Phil Taylor.

He remains competitive at the top level and reached the fourth round of last year’s World Championships before losing to Luke Littler.

The current world No32 began playing BDO events in 1987 before he turned exclusively to the PDC in 2006.

Yet despite playing at the top level for 40 years, it appears there is no end in sight for one of darts‘ greats.

And while Van Barneveld is still motivated by success, there is also a monetary reason for carrying on.

Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl, he said: “I’m not financially ready to stop tomorrow.

“That also ensures that it remains important for me to keep playing.

“It’s not that easy anymore to shout that you want to stop.

“That’s also not in my system and in my head at all anymore.”

Van Barneveld is understood to be worth around £5million.

The PDC Order of Merit has his earnings from prize money over the last two years at £262,750.

He has secured an automatic spot in the second round of this year’s world championships – which gets underway on December 15.

He will face either Welshman Nick Kenny or American Stowe Buntz for a place in the last-32.