Carlos Vela, LAFC Legend, Announces Retirement

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Hooligan Soccer

·27 May 2025

Carlos Vela, LAFC Legend, Announces Retirement

Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido, a 36 year-old attacking midfielder from Cancún, Mexico, announced his retirement today. Vela played 19 seasons professionally between 2006 and 2024, the last six of those with MLS club LAFC. His soccer journey started at Mexico’s Guadalajara when he was a youth, alongside his older brother Alejandro. He signed to Arsenal in 2005 (still only 17 years old) for £125,000, but because of work permit issues was loaned out. He spent a season at second division Salamanca, scoring eight goals in 32 appearances. The next year he graduated up to La Liga, spending 33 games with Osasuna and recording three goals and four assists.

Arsenal

With Arsenal in 2010. Cropped from original. (Source)

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He returned to the Arsenal first team in 2008 but failed to see any regular playing time. Flashes of his future brilliance were present, though, particularly in a hat-trick he scored against Sheffield United in a League Cup tie. Ultimately, for the next three years Vela would jump between Arsenal bench-warming and loan spells with West Bromwich Albion and Real Sociedad.

Real Sociedad

In July, 2012 Real Sociedad made Vela’s presence official with a transfer (fee was undisclosed). For the next five seasons, Vela would play 250 games for the La Liga side, scoring 73 goals and contributing 43 assists. His play was bright enough to attract the attention of a new expansion franchise with deep pockets. In August 2017 LAFC announced Vela would be their first Designated Player in advance of their inaugural 2018 MLS season.

LAFC

With LAFC, Vela swiftly became a superstar. In 2018 he won the first of his four MLS All-Star titles (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), and also made the MLS Best XI selection (repeated in 2019 & 2022). He led the black and gold to an MLS Cup win (2022), two Supporters Shields (2019 & 2022) and two CONCACAF Champions Cup finals (2020 & 2023). He is one of thirteen MLS players with at least 75 goals and 50 assists. His 34 goals scored in the 2019 season still stands as a league record, and earned him the MVP award.

When he announced his hiatus from soccer in 2024, Vela had accumulated records for LAFC in minutes played (13,994), games played (194), goals (93) and assists (54).

As he embarks on his post-soccer journey, Vela will become LAFC’s first Black & Gold ambassador and will receive a special celebration on September 21 at BMO Stadium when their game against Real Salt Lake will be dubbed “Noche de Carlos Vela.”