BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: Argentine Facundo Barbero has scored one goal this summer but promises more. PHOTO/alphapix
IT'S NOT unusual for teenagers to snap out of a state of inertia in the final year of high school to contemplate career opportunities or tertiary education in the confinement of their homeland.
But not too many of them are brave enough to venture offshore.
Hawke's Bay United footballer Facundo Barbero did last year, leaving his hometown of Tucuman, in Argentina, to jet across to Wellington, New Zealand. He terminated studies three months before exams at his school in San Jorge to play football for Island Bay United in the capital.
"I found it hard at school. I had to do 18 tests in the last few weeks," says the 18-year-old right winger before the ASB Premiership match against Fifa Club World Cup high-fliers Auckland City tomorrow in Napier.
He left Argentina with the blessing of his parents, Laura Delso and Horacio Barbero.
"I search on Google [to learn about New Zealand] and people in Argentina come here for working holiday and go back home to say it's a beautiful country so I came," he says, although he had heard of Auckland City in the global club stage.
An only child, Barbero had the licence to dream - if he could be anyone for a day he predictably picks compatriot footballing star Lionel Messi because he plays in the "best club in the world".
Island Bay, of course, or Bay United for that matter, are a far cry from Messi's FC Barcelona in Spain but no harm done in kindling the fires of hope in the beautiful game.
"It was hard for them [parents] and hard for me, too," says Barbero who played two years for Instituto Deportino Santiago, in Argentina, before going abroad.
Island Bay coach Martine Pereira Garcia, an Argentine, had sounded him out and soon he joined fellow Bay United midfielder Mario Alberto Barcia, also of Argentina, at the Wellington club.
Bay United coach Brett Angell scouted the pair over winter.
Barbero was the golden boot and young player of the season for Island Bay last winter. His most memorable match is Island Bay's upset victory over powerhouses Miramar Rangers last year in the Chatham Cup clash when he scored his most memorable goal.
Island Bay, with HB United reserve goalkeeper William Stockill in their line-up, bowed out of the cup with a 4-1 defeat at home to Bluewater Napier City Rovers.
But that elation from winter hasn't exactly flowed into Bay United's national summer league campaign.
Barbero has scored one goal against Southern United on December 14.
"It's disappointing but I'm looking for more goals. I'm confident I'll get more," he says.
Like many South Americans, he's had to adjust to the demands of physicality in the New Zealand game.
Adapting from Argentina's 4-4-2 formation to sitting back deep here demanded looking outside the square.
"It's more technical in Argentina where we play more with the ball and you run, run, run all the time," he says.
Barbero says Bay United will play from the back, keeping the ball and exploiting the flanks for good measure in tomorrow's 2pm kick-off at the Bluewater Stadium at Park Island.
"It's hard work to attack and [fall back to] defend."
He prefers to forage on the left flank but is finding traction on the right while Viktor Lekaj, of Croatia, enjoys first dibs.
Swapping flanks to pull the opposition defenders out of their comfort zones is vital but Lekaj has to feel confident with the switch for that to happen.
Tomorrow's 30C forecast heat is not an issue for Barbero who is used to footing it in Argentina's 40C days.
However, a modicum of rustiness has crept into their constitution since coming off the Christmas break.
"I'm doing well but a little unfit," he said, relishing the game time in the 1-1 stalemate against Canterbury United in Christchurch last weekend.
Bay United, he feels, is a really good club and doing well this summer and should make the premiership play-offs.
Barbero will return to Tucuman at the end of the premiership.
"I'll find a club there and see what happens. I'm very young."
He hopes to attend university but isn't sure where his interests lie.
Barbero has no qualms about returning to Bay United if approached but it'll have to be "a few years later".
"I miss my family and friends right now."