Raymond van Barneveld’s return to the professional darts scene has yet to deliver the results many hoped for. The 58-year-old Dutch legend, whose last major final came in the 2018 Masters (where he lost to Michael van Gerwen), has not reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship in seven years. Since coming out of retirement, his only major semi-final appearance was at the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts.
Barney’s most recent title came on the Pro Tour in Hildesheim in 2024, where he defeated Gary Anderson and Stephen Bunting en route to victory. However, that success has proven to be an outlier. Since then, he’s only reached the quarter-finals on three occasions and currently sits outside the top 32 in the rankings, with form and consistency continuing to elude him.
In June, Van Barneveld competed in a seniors event, suggesting that his career may be entering its final chapter. He recently acknowledged that he may only have a few years left in the sport.
Former World Matchplay semi-finalist Chris Mason has questioned Van Barneveld’s current motivation. Speaking to Online Darts, Mason said:
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“Does he have the drive? The desire? Is he doing it for the right reasons? I’m not sure what he’s got left.”
Chris Mason on how much longer Raymond van Barneveld has at the top level
️ “Does he have the drive? The desire? I’m not sure what he has left”
️ [clip via @OfficialOLDarts, August 5, 2025]
Inconsistency Undermining Senior Hopes
Van Barneveld was among the favorites heading into his seniors debut, competing against seasoned names like Steve Beaton and Mervyn King. Yet, despite strong performances early in the tournament — including a 96 average in his quarter-final against Neil Duff — he was eliminated in the semi-final by eventual champion Ross Montgomery, losing 6–3.
The sharp drop in performance raised eyebrows. His average slipped from 96 to just 83 in the semi-final — a swing that Mason highlighted as problematic.
“The throw still looks silky smooth, but I noticed over the weekend it’s just got a bit loopy,” Mason observed.
“That kind of drop in average is too much. You always talk about needing that consistent range, and right now, his range is too wide.”
A Crucial Run of Events Ahead
Van Barneveld is currently one spot outside the qualification zone for both the World Grand Prix and the European Championship. With ranking points and opportunities running out, he’ll need a strong run of results to secure his place in these prestigious events.
For a five-time World Champion, the path forward is clear — consistency, focus, and the drive to prove he still belongs among the elite. Otherwise, darts may be witnessing the final competitive years of one of its most iconic figures.
