Carlos Vela

Lore & Background

Vela began his career at Mexican club Guadalajara, where he caught the eye of several European clubs after finishing as the top scorer at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, ultimately joining Premier League club Arsenal that year. After joining Arsenal, he had loan spells at Spanish clubs Salamanca and Osasuna, as well as at English club West Bromwich Albion, before settling at Real Sociedad in 2011, initially on loan and then permanently the following season. In his six-year spell with La Real, Vela played in 250 matches and scored 73 goals. He is widely regarded as one of the best foreign players ever to play for the club. In January 2018, he joined Los Angeles FC, winning the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Golden Boot in his second year, and setting a new league record for most goals in a season, with 34. He was also voted Most Valuable Player. In 2022, Vela would win a second Supporters' Shield as well as lift the MLS Cup, before announcing his retirement in 2025. Vela made his debut with the senior Mexico national team in 2007 in a friendly match against Brazil, and scored his first goal for his country in a friendly against Guatemala. He participated in Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup victory in 2009, and participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Vela rejected all subsequent call-ups for more than three years, including friendlies, World Cup qualifiers, and various major tournaments including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, citing various reasons for his refusals. In November 2014, Vela made his return to the national team and participated in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2018 World Cup.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights at the Estadio Azteca hummed like a living thing. Eighty thousand voices pressed against the night air, and somewhere on the right flank, a number 11 received the ball with his back to goal. The opposing fullback stepped in, heavy-footed, and Carlos Vela dropped his shoulder—just a fraction, just enough. The ball kissed the inside of his boot, the defender slid past like water off glass, and for two seconds the entire stadium went silent. Then the through-ball. Then the sprint. Then the touch that sent the keeper sprawling into the net, the ball rattling past the post and into the mesh. The roar that followed was not a sound; it was a physical force, a wall of noise that shook the concrete beneath his studs. He did not celebrate wildly. He simply pointed to the crest on his chest, the green eagle spread against the white, and let the crowd carry him back to his own half. In that moment, he was not a player on a roster. He was Mexico, running.

Reader's Guide

Vela's career started with Guadalajara, alongside his brother Alejandro. After winning the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship with Mexico and finishing as the top scorer with five goals, Jorge Vergara, owner and club president of Guadalajara, agreed to sign him. Vela attracted interest from a number of European clubs, and eventually Arsenal won the race for his signature in November 2005 on a five-year deal. Since English work permit restrictions prevented him from playing in England, Arsenal loaned him to Spanish club Celta Vigo in February 2006, but he was returned right away with no games played. He was then loaned to Salamanca for the 2006–07 season, scoring eight goals. A one-year loan to Osasuna followed, where he scored his first goal on 31 October 2007 against Real Betis. On 22 May 2008, Vela was granted a work permit to play in England. He made his competitive debut for Arsenal on 30 August 2008 against Newcastle United. On 23 September 2008, in the League Cup against Sheffield United, Vela scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 win. He scored his first Premier League goal on 2 May 2009 against Portsmouth. On 28 January 2011, Vela joined West Brom on loan until the end of the 2010–11 season, scoring two equalizers. On 15 August 2011, Arsenal announced Vela would be loaned to Real Sociedad; he later joined permanently. In January 2018, he joined Los Angeles FC.

Did You Know?

• Vela was born in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, to Enrique Vela, an iron welder, and Nella Garrido, a stay-at-home mother.
• His first club was Ko Cha Wolis, which translates to 'Kicking Round Ball' in Mayan.
• Vela played both basketball and football until his father made him choose football at age 12.
• He dedicated his Golden Boot from the 2005 U-17 World Cup to his father, whose birthday fell on the day of the final.
• Vela's second goal in his hat-trick for Arsenal against Sheffield United was voted one of Arsenal's Greatest 50 Goals.