Ex-Man United star responds to ‘confident’ Luke Littler’s dig at Lamine Yamal

Patrice Evra has praised Luke Littler’s confidence after the darts star compared himself to Lamine Yamal.

Former Manchester United and France left-back Evra was reacting to comments made by Littler, a die-hard Man United fan, about being the best 19-year-old in world sport.

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After winning last month’s World Matchplay, Littler told The Sun: “Obviously Spain won the World Cup and everyone is talking about Lamine Yamal.

“I mean he didn’t really do much, did he? Scored maybe one goal. Assisted, too.

“Is he the best 19-year-old in the world? No, he’s not!

“As long as I’m winning, playing well and picking up trophies, then that’s all that matters.”

But Evra wasn’t convinced it was necessarily a fair comparison.

“I need to see a picture,” he said. ” I don’t like just the word athletes. When you say I’m the best in the world, I think every sport, it’s different.

“And sometimes a Formula One driver can be better than a footballer if he’s 19 years old. So it’s difficult to compare. But I think it’s the word athlete!

“I think his profession is not enough to be considered, you don’t need to be an athlete in darts. Maybe to have the focus and everything. But doing darts, I can do many things to train for it! I don’t know. I don’t know. It depends on what we call a complete athlete.”

But Evra admitted he respects Littler’s belief in himself.

The five-time Premier League winner continued: “But if you feel that way, I mean, I love when people say that. I never say they are crazy. I never say they are arrogant. He’s confident. If he thinks he’s the best, let him think he’s the best. What’s the problem, guys?”

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Littler is the youngest world champion in darts history, winning his first PDC World Championship in 2025 aged just 17 and 347 days.

‘The Nuke’ went on to retain his crown at the 2026 World Championship and has already claimed five major titles this year.

With his World Matchplay success, the Warrington-born teenager became the first darts player ever to rack up £3million in prize money.

A lifelong Man United supporter, Littler paraded the World Championship trophy at Old Trafford following both his victories.

Back in 2024, he met legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and captain Bruno Fernandes at a game against Tottenham, as well being presented with his own special shirt.

Man United are continuing their preparations for the new Premier League season – they get underway with a trip to newly promoted Hull on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.