- For the other version of the character, see Diego Barbas (RoNC).
Diego Barbas (ディエゴ・バルバス, diego barubasu) is the coach of Argentina Jr. Youth and Olympic Argentina.
Biography[]
J Boys' Challenge arc[]
During his time as the Argentina national team coach, he guided and trained both Juan Diaz and his teammate Alan Pascal. Also, he is an old acquaintance of Roberto Hongo. In the lead-up to the 1st International Jr. Youth Tournament in France, Hongo would warn Barbas of Japan's star player, Tsubasa Ozora, someone that could match Argentina's star, Juan Diaz.
During the groups of the tournament, Argentina would earn an easy victory against Italy Jr. Youth due to Gino Hernandez being benched from an injury after playing against Japan. Barbas would see first-hand that Tsubasa's playstyle was not only quick to adapt to any opponent, but also quick to copy opponents as Tsubasa began to match Diaz's acrobatic and ingenious plays. Barbas would be startled when Japan was able to outwit Diaz by shooting straight with the Tiger Shot while the team was positioned for a Drive Shot, and even more so when Diaz dropped his care-free attitude to play seriously. At the end of the first half, Japan would manage to score a second goal though Argentina would still lead the game 3-2.
In the break time, Barbas criticized the team for overrelying on Diaz, but Diaz took full responsibility for the blunder as the team's captain and rallied the team for the next half. Seeing that the team was too closely attached to their captain, Barbas did not say more and allowed them to resume on their play around Diaz. The game would get heated as the teams were tied 4-4, but Japan would manage to turn the tide with Jun Misugi being subbed in, and his analysis of Argentina's players from the bench allowed Japan to finish the game 5-4
Barbas remained to watch the tournament with Hongo, and after Tsubasa's stellar performance against France, he was convinced in trying to recruit Tsubasa for Argentina as a rival for Diaz. This shocked Hongo, who finally disclosed his personal relationship with Tsubasa, and asked Barbas to postpone his request. The pair eventually agreed that if Japan would win the finals against Germany, Hongo would go ahead his offer, but if Japan lost, Barbas was free to request for Tsubasa. Barbas would come up short in this bet as Japan would defeat Germany to win the tournament.
Rising Sun arc[]
He reappeared once more as head coach of Olympic Argentina in the Madrid Olympics tournament. During the groups of the tournament, Argentina's first match would be against Nigeria with a dominant 5-2 victory. He would meet Japan once again as Argentina's new defensive strategies were used to help support against Japan's aggression, with Diaz managing to score twice against Genzo Wakabayashi. Despite this, Japan's combination plays managed to come out on top as they closed the game 3-2.
The final match in their groups would be a tie-breaker with the Netherlands for the last spot to reach the main stage. In another close game, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 to finally qualify. Their opening match would be against Brazil which would end in a convincing 3-6 defeat with a hat trick from Diaz, Santana and Natureza.
Etymology[]
His name is a reference to the former Argentinian footballer Juan Barbas.
Gallery[]
- Main article: Diego Barbas/Gallery