14 December 2023 , 17:05
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Michael Smith received a surprise message from football star Toni Kroos after his PDC World Darts victory at Ally Pally a year ago.
Bully Boy won his first World Championship in 2023 after a thrilling victory over Michael van Gerwen and will get his title defence underway on the opening night on Friday.
It has been an incredible year for Smith, 33, but one moment in particular stands out after he received a text from Real Madrid and Germany legend Kroos while sat on the toilet., and the pair have stayed in contact since.
"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," Smith said.
“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.
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“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 been living the high life since his victory a year ago and splashed out on a trip to Las Vegas where he posted photos of Don Perignon champagne and Havana cigars.
Michael Smith lifted the PDC World Darts Championship last year (Getty Images)He could come crashing back down to earth when he faces off against Stowe Buntz or Dutch qualifier Kevin Doets on Friday, but the Brit says there will be even more celebrations if he makes it back-to-back world titles.
“I always wanted to be a world champion, now I have done it the dream is to be a multiple. I don’t want to finish my career with just one star on my chest," Smith said.
"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.
“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.”