'I've played Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor - Luke is something else'

When one of the greatest darts players ever to stand at an oche says you're "something else", then you must be doing something right. But that's exactly how Raymond van Barneveld has described following his sensational first season on the PDC World Tour.

The 17-year-old came up against the icon, 40 years his senior, at the last December.

The Ally Pally was the scene of arguably van Barneveld's best career moment in 2007, thrillingly beating 7-6 to win his only PDC world title.

As well as his numerous battles with Taylor, van Barneveld has also enjoyed some epic contests with compatriot . However, it's that remains etched in his mind.

"I was shocked in the Worlds the story went, that I was one of his idols," he said. "He played amazing. I was literally watching him at the back of the oche thinking this is like there were magnets in his darts.

"It really looked like that. I've played the best players in the world. I've played Phil Taylor, I've played Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, but this was something else."

The two players also met in the World Series Finals in September, . But the veteran finally got one over the youngster by beating him 6-4 at Players Championship 26 last week.

And in both clashes there appeared to be harmony between the two stars, despite the Dutchman . That was despite Littler calling the former BDO star an "icon" of his when he first came on the scene.

Back in March, 'Barney' criticised the Premier League champion for being unfriendly when they met and for not replying to any of his messages. "I can understand why you don't talk at the World Championship, but at other tournaments? he said. "I recently walked up to him to shake his hand, then he takes off his earplugs and only says the essentials.

"I sent a text message. And then unfortunately still no message back here either. Unfortunately, I was a little bit disappointed about it. Because; how nice it is to have contact with one of your idols. Perhaps also exchange advice and learn something from your idol."

Both players are currently in Amsterdam for the World Grand Prix event. It's Littler's debut at the tournament, while Van Barneveld was a runner-up in the event in both 2008 and 2009.