Michael van Gerwen's press conference comments about Luke Littler during the World Championship have resurfaced after Friday's Bahrain Darts Masters final.
Littler, 16, won his first senior PDC title with a 8-5 victory over 'Mighty Mike' at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir.
The Runcorn-born thrower looked in control throughout the contest; just like he did at the Alexandra Palace, when he notched wins over Raymond van Barneveld, Brendan Dolan and Rob Cross.
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Littler's performances at the World Championship sparked a huge amount of conversations amongst fans, pundits and players.
In fact, after the teenager secured a place in the last 16 with a win over Matt Campbell, three-time world champion Van Gerwen was peppered with Littler-related questions in his press conference.
After being asked if he understood the comparisons between himself and Littler, Van Gerwen insisted he was better than him at the same stage of his career.
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"Yes and no. I think if you look like talent-wise then I think I was slightly better but he doesn't care whoever he plays and that's why I admire him," he told reporters.
"He's a big talent. Me and Vincent [Van der Voort] spoke about him and he has got one little thing in his throw on the end that I don't really fancy, but for the rest he can win a lot of tournaments in the future of darts - 100 per cent."
Less than a month later, Littler defeated Van Gerwen in the Bahrain Darts Masters final following wins over Man Lok Leung, Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price.
The Dutchman did, however, send a classy on-stage message to Littler before urging spectators to "give him time" to settle on tour.
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Speaking to ITV, the world number two said: "Everyone says he's a new kid, but everyone knows what he's capable of. The crowds, the television, everyone wants to make him bigger. But he's already a good player.
"I know you all want to push him, but let him grow. Let him do his thing. You have to learn, the crowd has to learn, and everyone involved with television has to learn.
"Don't push him too much. Of course we know he's a good player. But give him his time and everything will come, no problem."
Topics: Darts, Luke Littler
Jack Kenmare