A month prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Iraq, Tom Saintfiet was announced as the new head coach of the Philippine men’s national team. Filipino football fans viewed his appointment as a glimmer of hope following a dismal run by the then-called “Azkals” team after their maiden appearance in the AFC Asian Cup in 2019.
Aside from being excited about what’s to come in the future of the men’s national team, the fans were also excited about who’s going to be part of the first squad to be called up by the Belgian tactician. Fast-forward to March 12, the men’s national team finally revealed the roster on their official social media pages. One player certainly drew attention and sparked questions, and it was Theo Jico Libarnes of the FEU-Diliman men’s football team. No one ever thought that a high schooler like him would earn a spot to represent our flag against our toughest opponent yet in the 21st century. A lot of fans questioned Saintfiet’s decision to include Libarnes instead of a more established player in the Philippines Football League.
Weeks later, the games against Iraq came. The Philippine men’s national team suffered two defeats, including a 5-0 thrashing in front of 10,000 spectators at home, extending their winless run in the World Cup qualifiers to four games. Libarnes, on the other hand, failed to make minutes in both games; however, the national team call-up surely, if not skyrocketed, kick-started the youngster’s football career.
Player Profile
Name: Theo Jico Libarnes
Age: 19 (as of writing, 2004-born)
Birthplace: Butuan City
Position: Center-Forward (Striker)
Height: 5’11 (1.80m)
Youth Club/Academy Experience: None
Transfermarkt Value: €25,000 (as of April 2023)
Playing Experience
Born in Butuan City, Libarnes actually grew up in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur. He attended Dumingag Central School and started playing the sport when he was in the second grade. His most notable achievements in his elementary years were winning the ZPRAA meet in 2015 and making it twice to the ZPRAA squad that competed in the Palarong Pambansa.
After graduating from elementary school, Libarnes’ talent wasn’t left unnoticed; his performance earned him a scholarship to Pagadian Junior College, Inc., an institution situated 70 kilometers away from his hometown for his junior high school years. There he won four straight division meet titles including a 3rd place finish in the regional meet.
Following junior high school, Libarnes did not make an impression on universities in their province and he knew he had to try his luck elsewhere. He then went to Cebu, had tryouts with the University of San Carlos, and was offered a scholarship afterward. In his first year with USC, he was immediately selected for the CVRFA U19 team that competed in the PFF U19 Boys National Championship.
Scouts from Far Eastern University were drawn to Libarnes after his performance for the CVRFA U19 team. His ten goals in seven matches in the nationals earned him a scholarship from the Tamaraws.
He brought his goalscoring prowess to Diliman, scoring five goals in five games in the Ang Liga preseason tournament and seven goals in seven games, including a brace against UST in the finals of the UAAP Juniors football tournament. Despite not scoring a goal in the first round, he ended the season as the top scorer, winning the golden boot award. But for him, the greatest achievements he got this season was winning the UAAP Juniors title and earning a chance to play for the national team.
Style of Play
“Locally, the only one who I’ve seen who acts like a number nine lately is somebody like Theo Libarnes, who has the instincts of a number nine.” – Freddy Gonzalez, PMNT Team Manager
Libarnes idolized Lionel Messi as a kid. When Luis Suarez joined Barcelona, he started seeing himself as the Uruguayan striker, considering that he plays in the same position as him.
Like his hero, Libarnes is more of a Complete Forward. He is a technical player who is capable of handling the ball, drops deep to link up with his teammates in the midfield and creates his own scoring chances. He is capable of shooting the ball whether it be inside or outside the box. He also has pace and is lethal in long balls or counter-attacks. He is an asset in set pieces with his height of 5’11 (1.80m) which is considered as “tall” in the Southeast Asian region.
However, like every youngster in the world, there are things that need to be polished, like his off-the-ball movement and his composure in front of the goal. Timing his runs inside the box and not being overwhelmed by his hunger for goals (“gigil”) are surely the things that need to be worked out in training. He also has not proved himself at a higher level of play yet, so I suggest that he should go pro sooner rather than later to reach his full potential. Although, Theo still has the final say whether he’ll go pro or play in the UAAP Seniors, and we should respect whatever may his decision be.
Theo Libarnes’ call-up to the senior men’s national team has made a statement, especially to young football players hoping to follow their dreams of playing for the national team: talent alone is not a guarantee of success, and that you don’t have to enroll at one of the best academies in the country in order to be taken notice of.
A maritime graduate and a long-time football fan. Current Data Administrator of Philippines Football in Transfermarkt. An avid FC Barcelona and Loyola FC fan.
