LAFC legend Carlos Vela officially retires after months of uncertainty | OneFootball

Former Mexico nationa team star and LAFC legend Carlos Vela has officially retired from his pro soccer career, LAFC announced in a statement on Tuesday, bringing to an end an awkward period of more than a year of speculation about the 36-year-old's future.

He will continue to work for LAFC as a club ambassador, according to the statement.

“From the beginning, Carlos has been more than just a player —h e has been the heartbeat, the captain, and the face of LAFC,” club co-president and GM John Thorrington said in the statement. “Carlos arrived in Los Angeles with a shared vision of building something truly special, and he delivered on that promise in every way."

Vela was the first-ever signing made by LAFC in August of 2017 before the Black-and-Gold made their MLS debut in the 2018 season. He became one of the league's all-time greats, finishing his MLS career with 78 goals and 59 assists in league play while earning three MLS Best XI honors and the 2019 MLS MVP award.

Vela helped LAFC to the 2019 and 2022 Supporters' Shield, and the 2022 MLS Cup. And his 34 goals in 2019 remains the all-time record for MLS goals in a single league campaign, three better than any other. Add in his15 assists, and it was the most productive attacking season in league history by a wide margin.

“Helping to build LAFC and winning trophies for the club is a highlight of my career,” Vela said in the statement. “This club means so much to me and my family, and I am proud of everything we have accomplished together with the great fans of Los Angeles. I am excited to begin this next chapter in my journey here in L.A.”

Technically, Vela also was part of LAFC's 2024 U.S. Open Cup title squad late last September. But the final came less than two weeks after he had signed a short-term deal with a club option to return to LAFC, after spending most of 2024 unsigned.

He wasn't matchfit for the final, and ended up playing only four MLS Cup Playoff minutes while the Black-and-Gold were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals. The club then declined his option for 2025.

While there were never any substantiated reports of a possible new contract, it was hard to completely write off the possibility until Tuesday's announcement.

Before his LAFC careeer, Vela spent six-and-a-half seasons with Real Sociedad in La Liga, and made 72 appearances for the Mexico national team, including in the 2010 and 2018 World Cups. He was part of Mexico's 2009 and 2015 Gold Cup title-winning squads.