Mardle lauds praise on Van Barneveld ahead of farewell: "He's an absolute darting icon"

Mardle himself gave his clear opinion of who he thinks is the 'King of Darts'. "It's Michael van Gerwen for me, he's the best player in the World. He's not World Champion right now but he's the three time World Champion. I'm assuming he'll get more, he wants six and I think he will get there.

We've seen some amazing players over the decades. I just feel Michael (van Gerwen) right now has got the darting world at his feet and it's up to him."

In February, Raymond Van Barneveld will get a big farewell at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam and Mardle will be a guest. "I'm really looking forward to it. I'm privileged to be there. I like him a lot and for me to be asked to be there, the answer was always going to be yes. He's an absolute darting icon and people will still talk about him in forty or fifty years."