"Unless something comes my way that gives me certain guarantees": Raymond van Barneveld doesn't rule out leaving darts behind in continued retirement talk

The coming months could prove decisive for the future of Raymond van Barneveld. The 59-year-old Dutchman remains fully active on the PDC Tour, while cautiously exploring options outside the professional circuit. A final decision on the end of his career has not yet been made.

Van Barneveld finds himself in a crucial sporting phase. The five-time world champion has slipped down the PDC Order of Merit in recent years and needs results in the coming months to secure a place at the World Championship. At the same time, the question is how long he wants to continue his career.

Discussions are already taking place behind the scenes. Van Barneveld recently changed management and joined Invictus, the agency run by Steve Mottershead, who previously guided Phil Taylor.

In the podcast Darts Draait Door, Van Barneveld confirms that various possibilities for his future are being explored. “Many new plans are coming up for the future, but I can’t say much about them yet,” said Van Barneveld. “There are some openings on the horizon, possibly for after the Worlds as well. I don’t yet know exactly what we’ll decide. But you can imagine you don’t want another year or two like this. The next four months will be very important heading into the Worlds. Am I going to make it or not? Then I’ll need to have a conversation with myself about what comes next.”

The fact that Van Barneveld is thinking about his future does not automatically mean he will hang up his darts after the upcoming Worlds. He is, however, exploring with his new management what other work might suit him.

Among other things, they are looking at a role in which he can continue to use his vast experience in darts. “We have no idea yet what will happen after the Worlds, but we are talking to all sorts of organizations about what’s possible. In the coming months we’ll decide what we’re going to do. Do we continue with an international career, which is basically on the back burner now? Or will things come my way that look fun to do and involve working in a different capacity. Maybe an ambassador role for Target or the PDC. That’s what we’re leaning towards now.”

According to Van Barneveld, there are also opportunities within his new agency to take on more work in the future.

An ambassadorial role is not the only option that appeals to Van Barneveld. The Hague native would also like to use his experience to guide a new generation of players.

After a career featuring both major successes and difficult periods, Van Barneveld believes he can offer young players something on several fronts.

“This has given me a wonderful career for many years. For example, I would really enjoy passing something on to young talent. But also the mental aspect—and that may sound odd coming from me because I’ve always struggled with it myself—I can convey that well to people so it doesn’t happen to them too.”

That mental side regularly played a significant role throughout his career. Van Barneveld has often spoken openly in the past about the pressure he felt and the doubts he faced at certain moments.

A farewell is not set in stone for now. As long as Van Barneveld keeps his PDC Tour Card, his starting point is that he will continue to play. The coming months must show how his sporting situation develops.

A strong end to the season and qualifying for the Worlds could again influence his future plans. At the same time, Van Barneveld does not rule out that an attractive offer outside active darts could steer his decision in a different direction.

“Unless something comes my way that gives me certain guarantees. Then I have to think about it. There are already a few things going on, but I can’t say anything about that right now.”