Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will face teenager Luke Littler in the last 16 of the PDC World Championship.
The Dutchman beat Wales’ Jim Williams 4-1 on Friday and will meet Littler, 40 years his junior, on Saturday.
Warrington-born Littler, 16, has lit up London’s Alexandra Palace with a remarkable run on his tournament debut.
“When I was 16 I was playing with Lego and Playmobil – this guy is something else,” Van Barneveld said.
“I’d never watched him before [this tournament]. I’ve warmed to this guy – he’s on another level. I can’t wait to play Luke,” the veteran told Sky Sports after his win.
The 56-year-old has not reached this stage of the competition since the 2018 tournament having won BDO titles in 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2005 before moving to the PDC and beating Phil Taylor in the 2007 final.
“He [Littler] will definitely get his tour card next year. He’s an amazing player but I don’t play the player, I play the board,” said Van Barneveld.
“I’m not afraid of Michael van Gerwen, I’m not afraid of [Luke] Humphries, I’m not afraid of Phil Taylor and I’m not afraid of Luke Littler.
“But to beat these guys you have to produce quality – and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Van Barneveld retired in December 2019 before reversing his decision in September 2020.
Littler beat Canadian Matt Campbell in the third round to become the youngest ever player to reach the last 16 and said it would be “unbelievable” to face Van Barneveld.
A winner of five Development Tour titles in 2023, Littler has quickly endeared himself to fans after revealing he likes to celebrate victory with a kebab and has been made one of the favourites to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy on 3 January.
Later on Friday, three-time winner Michael van Gerwen will face Stephen Bunting, while defending champion Michael Smith takes on Chris Dobey.
