Littler behaviour called out as star admits teenager wasn’t happy with comments

Luke Littler has been branded ‘arrogant’ by a darts star who has opened up on their relationship following past clashes

Luke Littler has been branded ‘arrogant’ as Ricardo Pietreczko risked starting another war of words. The darts star has clashed with Littler in the past and revealed he’s still not his biggest fan.

The darts stars made headlines last year when they clashed during the semi-final of the Belgian Darts Open. Pietreczko took umbrage at Littler for his unconventional route to finish 147, which led to a tense encounter after and a frosty handshake between the pair.

The German darts star hit out at his counterpart on social media shortly after that match, stating that he wishes his arrogance would cost him in the future.

The two have met a few times since, the latest of which was at the 2025 Players Championship Finals in Minehead. Littler won the encounter 10-6, but several dropped sets from the teenage dart sensation made it a tough encounter, one that continued the rivalry between him and Pietreczko.

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Speaking after the match, the 18-year-old revealed how his opponent claimed he was surprised to get five legs, only expecting to get one in the meeting. An irked Littler said: “In my head I’m just like: what are you on about? I genuinely said to myself, you’re getting it. I’m going to win this now. And I did.”

Speaking about that at a press conference ahead of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, Pietreczko attempted to set the record straight as he said: “I think it was made bigger by the media than it actually was. We were relaxed with each other and had fun backstage. I think you could also see that I had a lot of fun on stage.”

On the Minehead incident specifically, he clarified: “I said, ‘I’m glad I survived the two sessions. I was just hoping to get one leg—now I’m standing here with five.’ It was meant as a joke, just the way I am. And Luke apparently took it differently.”

While the 31-year-old seemingly wanted to calm down the tensions, he was completely honest in his assessment of Littler, as he called out his behaviour once again.

He added: “As far as Luke’s demeanour is concerned, I still think he comes across as a bit arrogant. But the way he plays, he can get away with it sometimes.”

It comes ahead of the World Darts Championship, which Littler will be looking to retain after his triumph earlier this year. If he is to hold the crown, then the youngster will have to be at his very best, something he wasn’t quite at when he lost to Michael van Gerwen in the final of the International Darts Cup.

The former champion had a warning for the world number one, as well as the other favourite in Luke Humphries, when speaking after the win. Van Gerwen said: “The reality is I’m not the favourite this year. Luke and Luke are playing better than me at the moment, so I have to step up. It’s as simple as that.

“The World Championship is a different animal – the crowds, the stage, the atmosphere, the media attention. It is a different type of pressure, and it’s always nice to chase someone. It’s easier than being hunted.

“My game is getting there, but it takes time. Everyone knows where I am coming from. As I’ve said before it’s been a really tough period, but I am still a positive man and that is really important.”

Littler starts the tournament off against Darius Labanauskas in the opening match, while Humphries takes on Ted Evetts and Van Gerwen has Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.