Barbiero Announces Retirement

MetroStars captain Fabian Barbiero has announced that at the completion of the 2025 Australian Championships that he will retire from football.

Barbiero legacy will be here at MetroStars forever after amassing 300 matches for the club

The club will honour Barbiero during the Australian Championships commencing in October.

Barbiero played his junior football with South Adelaide, and rose through the ranks to make his senior debut for the club in 2002 as an 18 year old.

After 13 matches for Panthers, Barbiero joined Adelaide Galaxy in 2003.

Barbiero joined MetroStars in 2006 and went on to play 32 matches for the club before being signed by Adelaide United to be part of their A-League squad for the 2007/08 season.

Barbiero made his A-League debut as a substitute against Perth Glory on 23 November 2007. He played a pivotal part in Adelaide United's run to the Asian Champions League final in 2008, scoring in the semi-final against FC Bunyodkor. Fabian also went on to make appearances in the FIFA Club World Cup later that year.

He played seven seasons with Adelaide United, amassing 109 matches and 8 goals during his time with the A-League club. Fabian was voted Adelaide United Best Team Man in both 2009 and 2010.

In 2009, Barbiero's great form in the A-League saw him receive a Socceroos callup and he made his International debut for Australia against Kuwait in the AFC Cup qualifiers.

Following his release from Adelaide United in 2013, Barbiero joined Croydon Kings for the remainder of the season, before re-joining MetroStars ahead of the 2014 season

In 2014, Barbiero was part of the club’s National NPL title, scoring the only goal in our 1-0 win over Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the Grand Final.

Barbiero has played 300 matches for MetroStars over both his spells at the club. He has helped the club to the Federation Cup wins in 2016, 2017, 2023 and 2025, 5 Premierships and the aforementioned NPL National Championship. Fabian's contributions to the team were recognised as he was awarded the 2019 Club Champion Award, an award he also won in 2006 prior to joining the A-League.

Congratulations to Fabian from everyone at MetroStars on a fantastic career.