Soccer Future Watch: Carlos Vela Soccer Cards, Los Angeles FC – Carlos Vela is one of the most accomplished players in the celebrated history of Mexican soccer, with contributions to the national team and across some of the top leagues in the world. The son of a semi-professional soccer player, Vela juggled the sport with basketball before forgoing the hardcourt at 12. Continuously under the radar, in lightly scouted Cancun, Vela would not break out until helping Mexico win the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship as the Golden Boot winner.
From there, it was straight to the Premier League for Vela, signing with Arsenal in 2005. Although, due to the oddities of British work permit laws, Vela actually first competed in the similarly prestigious La Liga for Osasuna pending the resolution of his issues in 2008. Once at Arsenal, Vela, a versatile player capable of being utilized as a winger, forward, and attacking midfielder – was brought in to be a striker and quickly became only the second Mexican player ever to score in the Premier League. Prior to that, Vela notched a hat trick against Sheffield United in the 2008 League Cup, with his second score subsequently voted one of the Top 50 goals in team history.
A full-time return to La Liga in 2012 saw Vela rise to greater heights, with three consecutive double-digit goal seasons starting his tenure and nine-goal seasons in two of his next three campaigns. Like David Beckham before him, Vela then heard the call from the City of Angels and joined Los Angeles FC in 2018. Vela would go on to earn three All-Star designations, the 2019 MVP, the 2019 Golden Boot (with an astounding 34 goals in 31 games!) and would lead his team to their first MLS Cup in 2022.
A two-time FIFA video game cover boy, Vela has also shined in his country’s colors, including appearances in the 2010 and 2018 World Cups. As the speed and direction-shifting abilities of his younger years have transitioned into a savvy and cerebral mature version of his game, Vela is on pace to become the rare player who is impactful across the course of two-plus decades.
Soccer Future Watch: Carlos Vela Soccer Cards – Stats
Statistical image generated on Sports Reference as of 09/15/2023.
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