‘You get lazy’ – Ex-Spurs star steps in to help struggling Raymond van Barneveld

Rafael van der Vaart has joined forces with Raymond van Barneveld to help restore the Dutch darts star to his former glory.

Van Barneveld was urged to quit the sport following his first-round exit at the hands of world no.111 Stefan Bellmont at the World Championship last month.

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The 58-year-old has admitted that his loss to Bellmont ‘hurt’, saying: “It’s obviously been a very poor year. On paper I’m a five-time world champion, but it just doesn’t come out.

“How to proceed from here is something I have to figure out. No one wants to suffer every week. This one hurts.”

And Van der Vaart has offered up services to help Van Barneveld return to his former glories.

Van der Vaart’s offer

“I can’t promise anything, but I’m going to do my best. ‘It hurts me [watching him struggle]. I’m a real fan of his,” Van der Vaart said as quoted by Dutch outlet NOS.

“Raymond put darts on the map in the Netherlands. Raymond, like me, is a natural talent. And then you get lazy. 

“It’s mental. I’m convinced Raymond would knock anyone off the board when he’s relaxed. Maybe he needs to drink four bacos (Bacardi and Coke) before a match again, like he used to.

“He’s often at odds with himself and overthinks things. I’m someone who doesn’t think, just ask Estavana [Estavana Polman, Van der Vaart’s handball star girlfriend].

“If Raymond van Barneveld and Rafael van der Vaart arrived at a tournament… then I think other people would also think, ‘what the hell is going on here?’ Haha!”

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Van Barneveld was overjoyed by the possibility of a collaboration, and has previously admitted that he ‘needs a kick up the backside’ as he looks to get back to his best.

Of Van der Vaart’s offer, Van Barneveld said: “Heart-warming. Absolutely fantastic. I never expected this, of course. I was truly speechless.

“It’s so sweet. It’s really great that he wants to work for me. We played a demonstration game together and have kept in touch since then.

“It’s still an individual sport; you’re often on your own. Hopefully, Rafael’s help will provide some relief, but I can’t say yet exactly what it will look like.

“We’ll have coffee soon, and then we’ll get things concrete. 

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“He also said he’d love to come along a few times. He’s a fan, and I’ve always been a fan of his. He played in a World Cup final, right? The fact that he cares about another athlete really steals my heart.”

Van der Vaart, who also played for Ajax, Real Madrid and Hamburg, has played down the prospect of being the most skilful or motivating of instructors.

“I even threw a dart with my son yesterday. I got an average of 26,” the 42-year-old added.

“If anyone doesn’t go to the gym, it’s me. But I told him I’ll do my best with my network.”

Van Barneveld hasn’t played a competitive darts game since his defeat to Bellmont at the Ally Pally last month.