Haaland, aged 23, is currently at the pinnacle of his abilities, recognized as one of the premier ꜱtгikers globally due to his exceptional physical prowess and goal-scoring proficiency. In contrast, Littler, who just celebrated his 17th birthday, has rapidly emerged on the scene by competing with some of the top darts players worldwide.

Despite their allegiance to different Manchester football clubs (Haaland to the blue half and Littler being a United supporter), they share a common pre-game ritual. Both individuals unwind before significant matches by indulging in console gaming, particularly playing FC 24, a rebranded version of FIFA. Notably, Haaland, a standout player for Manchester City, even can control his virtual character in the game.

When asked about his routine, Haaland mentioned, “I don’t have any special routines. I try not to think too much before a game. Normally the night before a game, I play on my PlayStation and try and relax as much as I can. I like to score with myself on FC 24, that’s about it. I don’t do anything special, I just try and relax and look forward to the game.”

Interestingly, Littler follows a similar routine. The rising darts sensation, who made waves with his remarkable run at the World Darts Championship, is an avid gamer. A photo shared by former world champion Michael Smith on Instagram showed Littler in his distinctive purple darts shirt, opening Ultimate Team packs on his phone before a match. Shortly after losing the championship final, Littler engaged in a TikTоk livestream playing FC 24 with his girlfriend Eloise Milburn. With a considerable following on TikTоk, fans appreciate Littler’s down-to-earth demeanor.

Haaland, recently recovering from a foot fracture that kept him out since December 6, is hopeful to emulate Littler’s success on his return to full fitness.