Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen has launched a stinging attack on long-time rival Peter Wright, suggesting it is time for the Scot to retire from the sport. The barb came after Wright suffered a stunning second-round exit at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, shattering hopes of a blockbuster third-round clash between the two.
Shock Defeat for Snakebite
Peter Wright, a two-time world champion, was emphatically beaten 3-0 by German debutant Arno Merk on Wednesday 24 December 2025. The defeat was a major upset, compounded by Wright's pre-tournament confidence where he had boldly declared he would win the title. He managed only a 79.20 average in a performance that left him well short.
Merk, overwhelmed by his victory, expressed his disbelief on stage. "I am stunned, I can’t believe it, I just beat a legend, I am so happy," Merk said. "I am early in my work, so I am really happy."
Van Gerwen's Brutal Assessment
Meanwhile, Michael van Gerwen safely navigated his own second-round match, defeating Ireland's William O'Connor 3-1. When asked about Wright's surprise loss, the Dutchman did not hold back.
"You want me to answer this? I can answer this really easily," Van Gerwen stated. "I'm not really surprised by his performance because he's been playing crap lately and for him it's time to retire anyway."
Reflecting on his own form, Van Gerwen was cautiously optimistic about his title chances. "I know I’m capable of more," he said, adding that his performance "could be good enough to go all the way." He emphasised his experience as a key advantage in the high-pressure environment of Ally Pally.
Anderson Defends Under-Fire Wright
Not everyone agreed with Van Gerwen's harsh critique. Fellow Scot and former champion Gary Anderson leapt to Wright's defence, arguing that constant peak performance is an unrealistic expectation.
"We can’t play well all the time, people think we’re robots," Anderson said. "Or a bad couple of games, 'he's finished' or 'he's retiring', give him a break... We've seen Michael do it, probably the last decade, he has a blip, he's finished? Give the bloke some time."
The dramatic day at the World Darts Championship has set the stage for a compelling narrative to unfold, with Van Gerwen advancing and one of his fiercest rivals making an unexpectedly early departure.
