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King of darts Michael Smith was dealt a royal flush when he received a text message from football legend Toni Kroos – while he was sat on the toilet.
'Bully Boy' had just become world champion, decorated by the greatest leg of darts ever thrown, when the Real Madrid midfielder invited Smith to appear on his podcast. On his throne in Bahrain, Smith was thrilled to be contacted by German royalty who has lifted the World Cup and collected five Champions League winner's medals.
And ever since that first text, it's been all cisterns go – the unlikely pair of sporting heroes remain in contact, shooting the breeze and talking darts.
READ MORE: Eight celebrities who absolutely love the darts from Prince Harry to Toni Kroos
READ MORE: Man Utd and Chelsea among clubs aware as Toni Kroos offered round to Prem teams
As Smith defends his crown at the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, he will have to beware of his title going down the pan on the opening night. He will face colourful American Stowe Buntz or Dutch qualifier Kevin Doets, and if his game is off-colour he could find himself back in the chain gang of early casualties.
But nothing will ever wipe away the memory of his 7-4 win in the final against Michael van Gerwen – nor the reflected glory of Kroos getting in touch. Smith, 33, said: "The weirdest moment of the last 12 months, the one that stands out, lone was in Bahrain, at the next tournament straight after the World Championship.
Will Michael Smith successfully defend his world title? Let us know in the comments section below.
"I was on the toilet, minding my own business, when I got a text message off Toni Kroos, asking if he could ring me and go on his podcast and everything. I nearly started crying in the toilet, screaming to the missus that I have just got a text message off him – and she replied, ‘Who the f*** is Toni Kroos?’
"When Dag [Smith's wife Dagmara] said that, it was unreal – he is probably one of the best midfielders you are ever going to see, an absolute star for Real Madrid. He still texts me now, asking me about darts and stuff. Just getting to speak to someone of his stature was incredible."
Smith has had a mixed year as reigning world champion, reaching three major semi-finals, and Bully Boy has yet to fulfil his wish of adding a real-life bull to the collection of animals on his farm near St Helens. He said: "I have the field at the front but we have not long got rid of the horses and this year has been the worst-ever for weather. If I stand in that field, I will literally just sink.
"I am waiting for it to dry up and then I can plough it, seed it properly and build a stable. So it is still on the cards but right now, I don’t have the time or the weather to do it. It's all right for the ducks as they love the water, but it's not nice for cattle."
One highlight of Smith's year was his decadent long weekend in Las Vegas, where he posted a photo on social media of him in the pool with a £750 bottle of Don Perignon champagne and £200 Havana cigar – before scooping a £10,000 jackpot on the slot machines in Sin City. He captioned a 13-second video on social media: "World champion, world No.1 and now life. Completed it mate."
And he has no remorse about living the high life, insisting: "If I win the worlds again, I will do the same thing next year. If you never had a regret you are doing something wrong. I am always nervous the day before when I drive up that twisting hill to Ally Pally, always hoping that I still get the butterflies.
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"If I don’t get those nerves, then I think that’s me done when it’s knocking this sport on the head if I am not nervous any more and I can't be bothered."
- Darts
- Michael Smith
- Real Madrid FC
- La Liga
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