Luke Littler takes bizarre dig at Lamine Yamal as darts star claims he is the ‘best 19-year-old in the world’

LUKE LITTLER believes no athlete has dominated their sport in 2026 quite like he has – even suggesting his achievements eclipse those of Spain’s teenage football sensation Lamine Yamal.

The 19-year-old darts phenomenon has enjoyed a staggering season, winning all six televised PDC major tournaments so far and putting himself on course for an unprecedented clean sweep of all 11 televised titles.

While tennis world No.1 Jannik Sinner has enjoyed another outstanding campaign, including lifting the Wimbledon title and capturing five consecutive ATP Masters crowns, the Italian fell short at the French Open.

Formula One prodigy Kimi Antonelli may currently lead the drivers’ championship ahead of Lewis Hamilton, but he has not won every race this season.

And although Yamal helped Spain lift last month’s FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final, Littler believes his own achievements stand apart because they have come in an individual sport.

Since November, the Warrington wonderkid has won 66 of his last 76 matches in televised major events, producing one of the greatest runs in modern darts history.

Already sitting comfortably at the top of the PDC Order of Merit with more than £3.1 million in ranking prize money, Littler has built such a commanding lead that he could go an extended period without competing and still remain world No.1.

Asked whether he considers himself the most dominant athlete in world sport, Littler replied: “It’s difficult to say because Sinner has won Wimbledon.

“But with the way I’m winning matches, performing consistently and collecting trophies, I’d say I’m right up there.

“Everyone is talking about Lamine Yamal because Spain won the World Cup.

“But he didn’t really do much, did he? Maybe scored one goal and got a couple of assists.

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

“As long as I’m winning, playing well and lifting trophies, that’s all that matters to me.”

Littler’s latest masterpiece came at the Betfred World Matchplay, where he dismantled Gerwyn Price in the final while producing a sensational tournament-record average of 111.53.

His performances throughout the week drew widespread praise from former professionals and pundits, many of whom believe he is redefining what is possible on a darts stage.

Natural talent backed by relentless practice

Despite his dominance, Littler insists his success is not simply the result of natural ability.

The two-time world champion revealed that countless hours spent practising during the COVID-19 lockdown laid the foundations for his meteoric rise.

“People say it’s natural talent,” he explained.

“But during COVID I was spending seven or eight hours a day on the dartboard because there was nothing else to do.

“That’s why I feel comfortable now when I arrive at tournaments.

“Some players practice for three or four hours before a match.

“I’ll throw for 20 or 25 minutes, relax for a while, then go back and warm up again.

“I’ve already put the hard work in over the years. Now it’s about staying relaxed.

“When I practice before a match, I’m not trying to hit nine-darters or massive finishes.

“I’m just finding the treble, getting comfortable and taking that rhythm onto the stage.”

After his World Matchplay triumph, Littler has opted to skip the upcoming World Series of Darts events in New Zealand and Australia.

Instead, the teenage star will enjoy a well-earned family holiday at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando before returning to continue his pursuit of an unprecedented clean sweep of every televised PDC major title in 2026.