Rafael van der Vaart is still actively helping
Raymond van Barneveld to give his career a boost. The former professional footballer offers “Barney” advice on the mental side, among other things. He also feels the five-time world champion receives too much criticism within the darts world.
Van Barneveld has been struggling with his level for years and seems to find it hard to keep up. However, he is not thinking about quitting yet and is now getting help from an unexpected source in Van der Vaart. Earlier this year, the former player of Ajax and Real Madrid, among others, said he would help Van Barneveld on the mental side. He hopes this will support the darter and get his career moving again.
“We’re doing our best. He’s a fantastic guy and a true darts legend, you know. We sometimes forget that,” he told
Sportnieuws. Van der Vaart also believes Van Barneveld deserves more credit and that former colleagues are too critical of him. “I often see
Vincent van der Voort there, well, he couldn’t even do five percent of what Van Barneveld could. Yet he’s the loudest voice.”
Barney deserves more credit
According to Van der Vaart, “Barney” is a Dutch sporting icon and the darter deserves more appreciation, despite the fact that his behavior can be a bit unusual at times. The ex-footballer believes that very behavior also makes the sport enjoyable. “I think we should respect that. I see that he still gets laughed at a bit in the darts world. But that’s because he is who he is. And that’s also headline-grabbing. It’s better than just saying yes and no.”
Raymond van Barneveld has not yet virtually qualified for the World Darts Championship
Naturally, Van der Vaart does advise Van Barneveld to be more positive. Yet he also notices that this is difficult to instill in the man from The Hague. “It can be a bit more positive now and then, but I’ve also noticed that’s quite hard for him. If it doesn’t go his way for a moment, his head drops straight away. But I also think he should just embrace that this is who he is. Maybe he doesn’t need to change at all. Then just, this is it.”