Raymond van Barneveld opens up about his childhood struggles
Raymond van Barneveld has offered one of the most revealing accounts of his early life to date, admitting he spent much of his youth believing he was a “failure” long before he became one of the most decorated darts players of his generation, reports BritPanorama.
During an appearance on the Dutch television programme Sterren op het Doek, the five-time world champion reflected on a lonely childhood that influenced both his career and the emotional fragility he has often exhibited on the big stage.
Now 58, van Barneveld is celebrated as a transformative figure in modern darts, having helped elevate the sport’s profile in the Netherlands and disrupted the long-standing dominance of English players. However, he conveyed that his public displays of emotion following significant victories or painful defeats trace back to deeper experiences that pre-date his rise to fame.
“I always felt like a failure. I had no friends around me,” he admitted. “When you’re young and you have your mates, you learn things from each other. Hanging out, going out, going to the cinema. All of that passed me by. My whole childhood just slipped away, and nothing ever really worked out.”
While the programme’s presenter, Özcan Akyol, mentioned that setbacks are part of adolescence, van Barneveld countered with his belief that the struggles during that period were more profound. “Yes, but not everything, right?” he replied, expressing how even the simplest tasks seemed daunting during his teenage years.
His attempt to pursue carpentry left him feeling defeated as well. “Everything I touched fell apart,” he explained. “I could never do anything right the first time.”
Those formative years have cast a long shadow. Even after securing five world titles between 1998 and 2007, van Barneveld revealed that periods of poor form could trigger the same self-doubt he experienced as a boy. “Then you slip back into that mindset -‘See? You still can’t do anything,” he recounted.
His candid remarks arrive as awareness of mental health within professional darts continues to gain traction. The sport, often played in high-pressure environments with prolonged periods away from home, has seen several players discuss openly the challenges of confidence, isolation, and psychological strain.
Van Barneveld’s willingness to revisit the more challenging aspects of his youth adds depth to the understanding that sustained success and profound personal doubt can coexist among elite competitors.
Despite his impressive achievements, including a famed rivalry with Phil Taylor, victories across both the BDO and PDC systems, and a final major triumph at the 2014 Premier League, van Barneveld has not shied away from acknowledging that his confidence can be volatile.
Fans have become accustomed to seeing him shed tears after matches, and his recent interview provides insight into why those emotions run so deep. Now ranked world No 35, he continues to be a notable presence on the professional circuit.
As he prepares for his next challenge at the upcoming World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, van Barneveld retains an ambition to make a final impactful run on the world stage. His journey, fraught with personal challenges and triumphs, serves as a poignant reminder of the human side of sport — where even the most celebrated figures navigate their own complexities amid the glitz and glamour.
