Luke Littler makes stance clear on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Phil Taylor comparisons after WDC win

It was a majestic performance from Littler, who achieved the feat just a year after losing to Luke Humphries in the same tournament.

The sky is the limit for the 17-year-old, who will turn 18 on January 21.

After his victory, in an interview with Sky Sports, Littler was asked about comparisons with Ronaldo and Mbappe.

'Project Ronaldo' and 'Project Mbappe' refer to young children being raised to become a superstar. Now, it's all about 'Project Littler'.

And the darts star has admitted he's honoured to be spoken about in the same breath as the footballing duo.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, he said: "Unbelievable, comparing me to the likes of Ronaldo and Mbappe.

"Project Littler has been going on for the past year now and I hope it continues.

"From what I know last year, there weren't many kids in the crowd.

"But to see so many walking past the family section, in that tier, it's been good and obviously most of them are wearing my shirts."

While Littler is understandably elated, he's got some way before he breaks Taylor's record.

The Briton won a staggering 16 World Championships throughout his career, establishing himself as one of the best players in history.

But Littler feels he can etch his own name into the history books even more than he already has - so long as he wants it.

"No idea, I could potentially break the record but if I want it, I'll chase it," he continued when asked about chasing Taylor's records.

"But for now I'm happy with one."

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Van Gerwen, meanwhile, showed his classy side by congratulating Littler on the biggest triumph of his career so far.

The 35-year-old reflected on the match by saying: "I went 4-0 behind and after that I thought I wasn't doing myself any justice, but that's the way it is.

"You need to try to fight and battle back and I think after going 4-0 down, I was definitely not the worst player out of us.

"But fair play to him, every chance he got and every moment he had to hurt me, he did.

"I had a lovely tournament and I enjoyed every moment of it.

"We all know I've come from a far distance and I've been battling my own game, but at the beginning of the game I was letting myself down too much and when you do that against a player with his ability, you're going to be in trouble.

"You have to take it on the chin, move on and walk off the stage as a champion.

"I always take my hat off to the people that beat me and if they beat me in a good game, fair play to them. That's how sport works."