RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD was urged to retire by fans after being knocked out in the first round of the World Darts Championships by world no 111 Stefan Bellmont.
The former world champion, 58, was comprehensively beaten 3-0 by the Swiss star and retirement questions will now inevitably be asked.
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Raymond van Barneveld was comprehensively beaten in the World Darts Championship first roundCredit: Getty
The Dutchman was outclassed by Swiss star Stefan Bellmont and now faces retirement callsCredit: Getty
Van Barneveld, who is a five time world champion, was outclassed by Bellmont on the night.
Barney won the opening leg of the clash but then lost SEVEN legs in succession as Bellmont ran riot.
The veteran star looked dejected on stage after failing to affect the scoreboards as he only managed to win two legs throughout the contest.
And fans were in agreement that Van Barneveld should quit darts before his form gets worse after the crushing defeat.
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One wrote on X: “Raymond van Barneveld either needs to sort out his attitude and start believing again, or call it a day. It can’t go on like this for much longer.”
Another added: “I know everyone loves Van Barneveld but he really needs to call it a day. Sad to see a great end his career like this.”
And a third said: “Raymond Van Barneveld just needs to retire now. He will ALWAYS be a legend but He is finished its so sad to see.”
One added: “Surely Barneveld will not retire, but he’s on the way down so he should end his career before it gets worse.”
Van Barneveld has one PDC world championship title – which he won against Phil Taylor in 2007.
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He previously won four world championships under the BDO banner.
Van Barneveld initially retired in 2020 before making a U-turn to continue his career.
But against Bellmont he suffered his worst Worlds performance since losing in the first round to Darin Young in 2020, and he retired soon after that defeat.
Van Barneveld said his defeat “hurts” and admitted he was asking himself “what to do next”.
He told Viaplay: “[Bellmont] played fantastically, so I think he deserved to win. He just gave it his all. Compliments.
“Now I’m out. It’s been a really bad year. On paper, I’m a five-time world champion, but it just doesn’t seem to be happening.
The Dutchman looked dejected as he came off stage and admitted the result ‘hurts’Credit: PA
“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.”
Sky pundit Glen Durrant feels it’s a long way back now for the legend. He said: “I don’t want to kick a player when he’s down. He didn’t look happy on there.
“He started the opening left well and you’re hoping then he’s going to kick on from there, but Father Time does catch up on you.
“I mean, it’s difficult, that longevity. James Wade’s coming up next and that’s why I admire players who have been around such a long time.
“But to see a great, an icon, the guy that set off Dutch darts to where it is right now, it’s a tough one as a fan to see as well.
“I hope Barney bounces back, but it’s very, very difficult when you’re in that downward trajectory. It was a tough night for Raymond.”
