Luke Littler opted to copy Lionel Messi’s classic photo by posing with the World Darts Championship trophy in bed – but his followers were more interested in his duvet
Luke Littler opted to copy Lionel Messi’s classic photo by posing with the World Darts Championship trophy in bed – but his followers were more interested in his duvet Luke Littler opted to copy Lionel Messi’s classic photo by posing with the World Darts Championship trophy in bed – but his followers were more interested in his duvet
Luke Littler has taken a leaf out of Lionel Messi’s book by taking the Sid Waddell trophy to bed with him after his World Darts Championship success.
Littler became the youngest ever world champion by demolishing three-time winner Michael van Gerwen 7-3 at Alexandra Palace on Friday night. The 17-year-old avenged last year’s defeat by Luke Humphries in the final with a brilliant performance that earned him a place in the history books, as well as a £500,000 pay cheque.
After celebrating his win, Littler has returned home to Warrington to reflect on his monumental achievement with his family. His 18th birthday is just around the corner, but for now he is happy to spend time at home with his gigantic new trophy.
Littler is a big football fan and decided to recreate an iconic photo from Messi after returning home. The Argentina superstar famously posed with the World Cup in bed after winning the Jules Rimet trophy in Qatar in December 2022 – and Littler has now paid homage to him with his own version.
Posting on Instagram to his 1.7m followers, Littler wrote: “Home sweet home, think nala loves it too”. Nala is his dog, who is shown in a second photo, wearing a replica of his darts top alongside the Sid Waddell trophy.
The photo has gone down a storm – not quite attracting the 54m likes Messi’s got – but still impressive, with over half a million at the time of writing. But plenty of the replies have focused on Littler’s choice of bedding: a jaunty Christmas-themed duvet cover, with Santa Claus and presents on it.
“Can we just appreciate the choice of bedding?” one reply read. Another wrote: “Just a normal young lad in his bed with his Christmas duvet on, enjoying his success – amazing.” A third said: “The bedding choice is immaculate.”
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Instagram/@lukethenukelittler)
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Littler has taken fame in his stride over the past year and has earned over £3m in the past year through prize money and sponsorship deals. He has not let it go to his head, but is planning to splash out on a new car for when he starts driving lessons.
“I’ve always loved a Mercedes A-Class – just a small car,” he said. “Last year I was looking at driving and I loved the Ford Focus, but now I’ve gone up in the world just a little!
“I haven’t had driving lessons yet because it’s been so hectic, but I’m going to have to do it before I get into my twenties when it’ll be too late and I can’t be bothered. If I get a car, it won’t be a birthday present from anyone. I think it would have to be a birthday present from me to me.”
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Mirror – Sport