Why 'Barney' Is Turning to a Tottenham Legend for Career Advice

Raymond van Barneveld welcomes Spurs Star to his team

We’ve seen plenty of footballers swapping the pitch for the oche in recent years, with the likes of James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, and former Dutch international Tim Krul all making appearances at the darts. The sport’s popularity has exploded, drawing in celebrities from every corner of the sporting world to Ally Pally and the Premier League stage. But this is the first time two sporting legends from different sports have come together as one career winds down.

That recently changed when five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld welcomed former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart into his team. The pair share more than just Dutch roots and a passion for sport, but many may be wondering what exactly brought about this surprising partnership.

Here at the Football Park, we'll explain how the partnership came together and what it could potentially look like going forward.

How Did The Dutch Pair Meet?

We have to go all the way back to 2013 to find the beginnings of this friendship, a time when Raymond van Barneveld wasn’t quite enjoying the success that had defined so much of his career. After years of dominating the sport, Barney was going through a difficult spell and struggling to add any major titles to his impressive collection.

🎙️ "DOUBLE 12, FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE!"

The moment history was made!

Raymond van Barneveld raised the roof at Alexandra Palace, by landing the first nine-darter at the PDC World Championship against Jelle Klaasen in 2008/09! 👏 pic.twitter.com/p0Ku4q6td5

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 5, 2025

Around the same time, Rafael van der Vaart had just made the move to Hamburger SV as he continued his football career in Germany. While most fans knew him for his creativity on the pitch, those close to him also knew about his love for darts. The Dutch midfielder has long been described as a real darts enthusiast, often following the big tournaments and playing when he gets the chance.

It was in Hamburg where the two properly crossed paths. The pair teamed up for a pairs darts tournament in Hamburg, which they ended up winning, the first small chapter in what would become a long-serving friendship.

Of course, Barney will always be remembered as one of the sport’s all-time greats, but the years following that meeting proved challenging. Although he did manage to pick up a Premier League title back in 2014, something Spurs and Van der Vaart never quite achieved in football. Barney's consistency that once defined his game began to fade. Major finals became nonexistent, and results became tougher, marking a major decline.

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. (Barney speaking on van de Vaart)

Since 2013, the two have stayed close, keeping in touch and supporting each other through the ups and downs of their careers, a friendship built on their shared nationality, competitive spirit, and love for darts.

What Does This Partnership Look Like?

Van Barneveld has spoken openly about his early exit at the 2025 World Championship, where he was beaten in the first round by Stefan Belmont. After the defeat, many pundits and fans urged the all-time great to take a step back and consider whether it might be time to put down his arrows for good.

But during that difficult period, Rafael van der Vaart stepped in with his support, first as a friend, and now in a more professional role as well. Van der Vaart is set to help manage things away from tournaments, taking care of organisation and working to bring in new sponsors, allowing Barney to focus fully on his game.

It's so sweet. It's really great that he wants to work for me...it’s still an individual sport,you’re often on your own. Hopefully, Rafael’s help will provide some relief.

Van de Vaart has a lot of experience on the big stage, playing in a World Cup final and winning numerous titles throughout his career. He even had a brief spell on the oche himself, joining the BDO in 2019 after retiring from football. However, it’s fair to say his darts career didn’t quite match his footballing success, as he exited the Danish Open in the second round with a 4–0 defeat.

In recent years, some critics have questioned Barney’s mindset on stage. One fan wrote on X that “his body language is awful when he plays, especially when he’s losing.” Van der Vaart echoed some of those thoughts in an interview, describing Barney as a natural talent but someone who can sometimes be too relaxed. He added that the five-time world champion has been carrying too much pressure on his shoulders and hopes his presence will help ease that and bring the enjoyment back to his game.

Raymond Van Barneveld at the worlds #PDCWorldChampionships pic.twitter.com/jh3Gvtnvqf

— Tyler (@TylernolLFC) December 21, 2024

What is next for Raymond van Barneveld?

After a challenging 2025 World Championship and an open period of reflection, Raymond van Barneveld is now entering a new chapter both on and off the oche. With Rafael van der Vaart by his side as a mentor and support off the stage, Barney’s focus will be on rediscovering the joy of competition and rebuilding his confidence in major events.

Rather than rushing into retirement, the pair’s partnership suggests a longer-term plan, one that combines better organisation and fresh sponsorship opportunities. Van der Vaart’s experience in high-pressure environments and his business-minded approach could help streamline Barney’s schedule and reduce distractions, giving him the space to concentrate on performance.

For the foreseeable future, fans can expect to see van Barneveld back competing in key PDC events, possibly with a new mindset and renewed passion. Whether this leads to deeper runs in tournaments, a return to form on the big stage, or a transition into something different, for now, the focus is on one aim: getting the best out of the legend while he’s still in the game.