Carlos Vela
Who was Carlos Vela?
Mexican forward who became one of MLS's most prolific goalscorers during his time with Los Angeles FC, winning the MLS MVP award in 2019. He has represented Mexico in multiple World Cups and major international tournaments.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Carlos Vela (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido, born March 1, 1989, in Cancun, Mexico, is a former professional footballer known for being one of Major League Soccer's top goal scorers. He started his career at Mexican club Guadalajara and gained international attention as the top scorer at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, securing a contract with Premier League club Arsenal later that year. Early in his European career, he went on loan to Spanish clubs Salamanca and Osasuna and English club West Bromwich Albion before establishing himself at Real Sociedad in 2011.
During his six years at Real Sociedad, Vela became one of the club's most celebrated foreign players, playing in 250 matches and scoring 73 goals. His play in La Liga showed his skill as an offensive player, capable of playing as a forward, winger, and attacking midfielder. This European experience set the stage for his most successful period as a professional footballer.
In January 2018, Vela joined Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, where he achieved great success. In his second season, he set a new MLS record with 34 goals in one season, winning both the MLS Golden Boot and the Landon Donovan MVP Award in 2019. He also helped the team win the Supporters' Shield that year. Vela continued his success with LAFC, winning another Supporters' Shield in 2022 and capturing the MLS Cup, the league's top prize.
Vela's international career with Mexico started in 2007 with a friendly match against Brazil. He was part of Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning team in 2009 and played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. However, Vela turned down national team call-ups for over three years, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, due to personal reasons. He returned to international play in November 2014 and later participated in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2018 World Cup before announcing his retirement from professional football in 2025.
Before Fame
Carlos Vela grew up in Cancun at a time when Mexican football was producing great young players destined for top European teams. He developed his skills at Guadalajara just as European clubs started scouting Latin American talent more eagerly. His standout performance at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, where he led in goals, caught the attention of Arsenal scouts.
This breakthrough happened when Mexican players started making a stronger mark in European leagues, and Vela was part of a generation boosting the reputation of Mexican football globally. His journey from playing youth football in Mexico to gaining fame in Europe shows how Mexican player development systems improved in the early 2000s.
Key Achievements
- MLS Golden Boot winner and single-season scoring record holder with 34 goals (2019)
- Landon Donovan MVP Award winner (2019)
- MLS Cup champion and two-time MLS Supporters' Shield winner with LAFC
- Top scorer at 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
- CONCACAF Gold Cup winner with Mexico (2009)
Did You Know?
- 01.Set the MLS single-season scoring record with 34 goals in 2019, breaking the previous record of 31
- 02.Refused to play for Mexico's national team for over three years, missing the 2014 World Cup despite being one of the country's best players
- 03.Scored the first-ever goal in Los Angeles FC history during the club's inaugural MLS season in 2018
- 04.Became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 50 career goals, achieving the milestone in just 67 games
- 05.Was offered the opportunity to represent Spain internationally due to his years playing in Spanish football but chose to remain with Mexico
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| MLS Golden Boot | — | — |
| Landon Donovan MVP Award | — | — |