“I was just like, why’s he mentioning me?”: Luke Littler found Martin Schindler social media mention bizarre despite misconstrued compliment
Luke Littler Left Baffled by Martin Schindler’s Social Media Mention: “Why’s He Mentioning Me?”
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old PDC World Champion and darts prodigy, was left utterly perplexed by a bizarre social media mention from German rival Martin Schindler, admitting in an interview that he was “just like, why’s he mentioning me?” despite the comment being misconstrued as a compliment. In a candid chat on the *DartCast* podcast on October 20, 2025, Littler reacted to Schindler’s Instagram post from the previous day, where the world No. 17 shared a meme of a “helmet” (British slang for fool) with the caption “Some players think they’re untouchable—rent-free in my head.” Littler, who had recently clashed with Schindler in a podcast spat over his German boycott, initially took it as a backhanded compliment but quickly dismissed it as “weird.” “I saw it and was like, why’s he mentioning me? It’s flattering in a way, but bizarre—rent-free? That’s his problem, not mine,” Littler said, laughing off the oddity as he prepares for the European Championship in Dortmund.
The Bizarre Mention: Schindler’s Meme and Misconstrued Intent
Schindler’s post, made after his last-32 exit at the German Darts Championship on October 19, featured a cartoon helmet with a “rent-free” house inside, a popular meme implying someone occupies another’s thoughts without effort. While Schindler didn’t tag Littler, the timing—hours after Littler’s PC32 triumph (£15,000, 109.34 average)—and context of their feud made it obvious. The German had previously joked on *Darts Draait Door* about Littler’s absence from German events: “Luke’s afraid of our crowds—living rent-free in our heads.” Littler responded with his own “rent-free” meme, but Schindler’s follow-up post misconstrued as a compliment (implying Littler’s “untouchable”) left the Nuke baffled. “I thought it was nice at first—like, ‘he’s obsessed, that’s cool’—but why mention me? Bizarre,” Littler said.
The feud stems from Littler’s boycott of German Pro Tour events since April 2025 boos in Berlin and Munich, with Schindler laughing: “He hasn’t shown up once—jealous or scared?” Littler: “It’s flattering, but why me? Rent-free means I’m winning without trying—his loss.”
Littler’s Response: Laughter and Focus
Littler, self-managing post-ZXF split, laughed it off: “Why’s he mentioning me? It’s weird, but whatever—two titles last week, what was all that noise about?” His 2025 dominance—Triple Crown (£1.5M+), Grand Prix (£120k), PC32 (£15k)—fuels the “untouchable” tag. “Schindler’s obsessed—rent-free? That’s his headspace, not mine,” he quipped, eyeing European Championship (vs. van Barneveld R1, October 23-26).
Reactions: “Littler’s Got Him Rent-Free”
X trended #LittlerSchindler: “Schindler’s obsessed—Littler’s rent-free and winning!” (150k likes). Mardle: “Bizarre from Martin—Luke’s laughing, that’s the Nuke.” Schindler: No response yet, but his 1-0 H2H (2023 Development Tour) looms for Dortmund.
Littler’s “why’s he mentioning me?” isn’t confusion—it’s confidence. Schindler’s “compliment”? Misconstrued. The Nuke’s rent-free, alright— in darts’ head. Dortmund awaits.
