In the heated debate over darts' greatest of all time, former world champion Rob Cross has delivered a surprising verdict, placing Michael van Gerwen above both Phil Taylor and Luke Littler. With a decade of professional experience and matches against all three stars, Cross's perspective carries significant weight in the sport.
Cross's Personal Assessment of Darts Legends
While many fans and analysts view Phil Taylor and Luke Littler as the top contenders for the title of darts' greatest ever, Rob Cross has a different opinion based on his firsthand encounters. The two-time world champion explained his reasoning in a 2025 interview with Online Darts, highlighting the unique challenges posed by each player.
The Michael van Gerwen Factor
Cross was particularly emphatic about van Gerwen's impact on his career, stating that the Dutch superstar was "different gravy" when he first entered the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. According to Cross, van Gerwen's dominance during that period likely prevented him from winning three or four additional titles in his breakthrough year.
"In my personal opinion, at the minute, he's the best player I've ever played," Cross declared. "He always found something when he needed it. He had that extra gear change when he was in trouble. I've not seen many players like that, including myself."
Limited Experience Against Taylor
Cross acknowledged the difficulty in evaluating Phil Taylor's greatness based on their single competitive meeting. Their sole encounter occurred in the 2018 World Darts Championship final, where Cross emerged victorious with a 7-2 scoreline at Alexandra Palace, denying Taylor the fairytale ending to his legendary career.
"If I'd have played him numerous times, I'd have got a feel of what he was like and the domination he had at one point," Cross explained, suggesting that a single match doesn't provide sufficient data to fully assess Taylor's capabilities against modern competition.
The Luke Littler Phenomenon
Despite his preference for van Gerwen, Cross recognizes Luke Littler's extraordinary talent and potential. The 19-year-old sensation has already made history as the youngest world champion ever and is widely considered the only player capable of challenging Taylor's record of 16 world titles.
Cross has faced Littler multiple times with mixed results, noting that their head-to-head record currently favors the teenager. "At the same time, the young man, if he holds it down for another three or four years and keeps sort of improving then maybe it'll be him," Cross conceded, acknowledging Littler's trajectory toward greatness.
Self-Assessment Against Littler
The former champion was candid about his performances against Littler, admitting: "I don't feel like I've played well. I think I've played rubbish against him and played better stuff elsewhere. That needs to change and maybe even other people have done the same."
Current Competitive Landscape
Since Cross made these comments, Littler has successfully defended his world championship title, further cementing his status as darts' brightest young star. Meanwhile, Cross continues to compete at the highest level, though he acknowledges the challenge of facing today's top players.
Littler currently leads the Premier League standings as he seeks his fourth night win in five attempts, demonstrating the consistency that makes him such a formidable opponent. The darts world continues to debate whether he can eventually surpass both Taylor and van Gerwen in the pantheon of greats.
Rob Cross's insights provide valuable perspective from someone who has competed directly against all three players during different eras of the sport. His assessment highlights how personal matchups and timing can influence perceptions of greatness, even when discussing athletes of such extraordinary caliber.
