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Luke Littler believes that whoever is the current No. 1 in the PDC rankings can be considered the world's best darts player. Littler, 18, is the current top dog in the sport with his great rival, Luke Humphries, in second. Speaking as he closed in on the spot in October 2025, Littler said: "Obviously, until I get that world number one spot, I'll never call myself the best in the world - whoever's number one, they're the best."

The debate over who is better out of Humphries and Littler has raged since Littler burst onto the scene at the World Championship in 2024. Humphries was ranked world No. 1 from January 2024 to November 2025 before Littler took the mantle. While he's been second best to his double World Champion-winning rival in recent times, Humphries secured the Belgian Darts Open title with an 8-6 win over Jonny Clayton this week. Beforehand, the 31-year-old had taken heat from darts influencer Charlie Murphy after the content creator insinuated that Humphries had surrendered to Littler in their recent bouts and was 'giving in' to the youngster.

It was Littler's shock third-round exit to Niels Zonneveld had paved the way for Humphries to clinch his ninth European Tour title. After beating Clayton, 'Cool Hand' joked it would help him keep his status as second best after Murphy claimed the 2024 World Champion "didn't seem to have that stage aura".

After picking up the trophy and £35,000, Humphries said: "I'm just going to keep trying and keep pushing. Keep my aura levels up because I have to. Keep trying to be the second-best player in the world, apparently."

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Darts influencer Murphy apologised for his jibe at Humphries after the darts star appeared visibly upset by the comments in an interview at the Belgium-based event.

Murphy posted on X: "Formal apology again to Luke, I think if you watch the video fully, it does show that I was struggling to say what I actually meant, but it's upset him, and that was never my intention nor has it ever been."

Yet by Humphries' own account, after losing to Littler at the Winmau World Masters in February, the 31-year-old offered the ultimate accolade to Littler. He said: "I think he's the greatest dart player that has ever lived.

"I said to him at the end: I don't even think you have a heart! He never folds under pressure. You try your hardest to put him under it, and he just never folds."

In keeping with his penchant for modesty, Littler responded: "I didn't hear him say that. I heard the crowd cheer a few times when he was talking, but I couldn't hear him. But no one will ever beat Phil [Taylor]. I won't be the greatest ever, even if I do win more than what Phil won."

Earlier this year, Littler doubled down on his opinion that if you rest at the top of the PDC rankings, you can consider yourself the best. "I said throughout the year, whoever is number one is the best," he said. "Luke Humphries has been the best in the world. Now I'm number one, I am the best."