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LUKE LITTLER channeled his inner Cristiano Ronaldo after winning his first set of the PDC World Darts Championship.

The teenager got off to a shaky start in the opening exchanges against Ryan Meikle before pulling it back to win the leg, celebrating using Ronaldo's famous "Calma" celebration.

Luke Littler let out a huge celebration after winning his first leg at the World Darts Championship
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Luke Littler let out a huge celebration after winning his first leg at the World Darts ChampionshipCredit: PA
The teenager pointed at himself as he copied Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration
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The teenager pointed at himself as he copied Cristiano Ronaldo's celebrationCredit: PA
He appeared to urge the crowd to calm down
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He appeared to urge the crowd to calm downCredit: PA
Littler appeared to be copying Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Calma' celebration
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Littler appeared to be copying Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Calma' celebrationCredit: Getty

Littler, 17, had fallen 2-1 behind in the opening set and needed to pull himself back into contention.

And after some strong throwing he managed to win the first set 3-2, bursting into fiery celebrations immediately afterwards.

The Nuke screamed aloud on the Ally Pally stage, before pointing at himself and urging the crowd to calm down.

The youngster even appeared to shout "relax" at the Palace audience during his bellows.

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Fans online reacted to the passionate roars from the Prince of the Palace.

One wrote: "Littler giving it the Ronaldo calm down".

While another added: "I love everything about Littler, he has that little bit of arrogance without being OTT with it.

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"I sincerely hope he continues in this sphere and is successful for as long as he wants, he really is a superstar".

And a third commented: "Luke Littler saying 'I’m here… relax' at 17 years old on national television is the best thing I’ve ever seen"

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Others felt that Littler needed to keep his cool until the match was won and then let out his celebrations, reminding the breakout star that the match isn't won until it's over.

Littler may have had those concerns himself too after he went on to lose the next set to world no.62 Ryan Meikle.

But Littler had no doubt that he was going to come out on top, winning the match 3-1 in the end.

And the teen put up an incredible 141 set average in the final set, narrowly missing out on two nine-darters to book his spot on the Ally Pally stage post-Christmas.

It was clearly an emotional night for Littler who burst into tears in his post-match interview, clearly feeling the love from the crowd after his meteoric rise in the sport from this tournament last year.

Littler came so close to hitting a nine-darter on darts' biggest stage
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Littler came so close to hitting a nine-darter on darts' biggest stageCredit: Reuters
The star beat Ryan Meikle 3-2
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The star beat Ryan Meikle 3-2Credit: Reuters
Littler was brought to tears after the win
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Littler was brought to tears after the winCredit: Reuters
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