Chris Mason Questions how long Raymond van Barneveld has left

Raymond van Barneveld’s name is etched into darts history. A five-time World Champion, Premier League winner, Grand Slam champion, and holder of 85 career titles, the Dutchman’s legacy is beyond dispute. Yet, as the years pass, questions are growing over how long the 58-year-old can remain competitive at the top level — with former World Matchplay semi-finalist Chris Mason among those raising doubts.

Van Barneveld’s last appearance in a televised major final came back in 2018 at the Masters, where he was beaten by Michael van Gerwen. Since then, his World Championship record has been far from his previous standards, failing to progress beyond the quarter-finals for seven consecutive years. His return from retirement in late 2020 offered fans hope of another golden run, but results in the biggest events have been limited. His only semi-final since coming back came at the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts.

Recent Struggles and Rankings Slide

Barney’s most recent title win was on the Pro Tour in Hildesheim in 2023, where he overcame high-profile opponents including Gary Anderson and Stephen Bunting. However, in the months since, deep runs have been scarce, with just three quarter-final appearances to his name.

That lack of consistency has seen him slide down the PDC Order of Merit, now sitting outside the world’s top 32. Speaking recently, van Barneveld admitted he might only have a handful of years left in the sport. He even stepped into the seniors circuit for the first time earlier this summer, competing in June’s Champions of Champions event.

Mason’s Take: Desire and Consistency in Question

When asked for his view on how much longer van Barneveld could continue, Mason responded with a frank assessment. “Does he have the drive, desire, is he doing it for the right reasons? I’m not sure what he’s got left,” Mason said.

Going into his seniors debut, van Barneveld was widely tipped to win the tournament, ahead of familiar names such as Steve Beaton and Mervyn King. But after reaching the semi-finals, his campaign ended in a 6-3 defeat to eventual winner Ross Montgomery.

For Mason, the key talking point was the drop in standard between Barney’s quarter-final and semi-final performances. In the last eight, the Dutchman averaged a strong 96 against Neil Duff — a display Mason praised. But in the semi-final, that figure tumbled to just 83. “You would think he’s going to need something in and around there (96) consistently,” Mason explained. “But he needs to do it over and over. That range — from 96 to 83 — is too much. It’s just not sustainable at the top level.”

The Throw: Smooth, but With a Flaw

Despite his concerns, Mason also offered compliments, noting that van Barneveld’s trademark smooth action is still present. However, he did detect a subtle technical change. “The throw still looks silky smooth, but I noticed at the weekend it’s just got a bit loopy,” he said.

For a player whose game has long been built on rhythm and timing, even minor adjustments — intentional or otherwise — can make a significant difference to results.

Crucial Months Ahead

Van Barneveld now faces a pivotal stretch in his season. He sits just one place outside the qualification spots for both the World Grand Prix and European Championship. A strong run in upcoming events could secure his place in these prestigious tournaments, offering him another shot at proving he can still compete with the sport’s elite.

However, failure to deliver could add weight to the growing sense that his glittering career is entering its final chapter.

While many fans will continue to back Barney regardless of form, Mason’s comments underline the reality that sentiment alone cannot sustain success at the highest level. For van Barneveld, the challenge now is to rediscover the consistency that made him one of the most feared competitors in darts history. If he can do that, there might still be another big chapter left in his remarkable story. If not, his legacy will remain intact — but the clock may be ticking faster than some would like to admit.