Lafc’s Icon Carlos Vela Announces Retirement, Transitions to Ambassador Role
Los Angeles Fc (Lafc) Legend Carlos vela Has Officially Announced His Retirement From Professional Football After An Illustrious 19-year Career. The 35-year-old Mexican Footballer, A Dominant Force In Major League Soccer (Mls), will now transition into a new role as the Club’s First Ambassador. His contributions will be celebrated During Carlos Vela’s Night On September 21 Against Real Salt Lake.
A storied Career Culminates
Vela’s Impact On Lafc Is Undeniable. he Leads The Club In Appearances (152),Minutes Played (11,194),Goals Scored (78),And Assists (59). in 2019, He clinched the Mls Most Valuable Player Award While Setting a League Record With 34 Goals In A Single Season. this cemented His Status As One Of The League’s All-Time Greats.
“Helping The Lafc And Winning Trophies For The Club Are Of The Most Prominent Moments In My Career,” vela stated. “This Club Means A Lot To Me And My Family, And I Am Proud Of Everything We Have Achieved Together With The amazing Fans Of Los angeles. I Am Excited by This Next Chapter In My Life.”
From Designated Player To Club Icon
Vela’s Journey With Lafc Began In August 2017 When He Became The Club’s First-Ever Designated Player, Setting The Stage For Their Inaugural Season In 2018. His Final Match For The black And Gold Was On October 27, 2024, Against Vancouver In the Postseason At Bmo Stadium.
thorrington’s Tribute
“From The Beginning, Carlos Has Been More Than Just A Player-he Has Been The Heartbeat, The Captain, And The Face Of The Fc,” Said Co-President And General Manager John Thorrington. “Carlos Arrived In Los Angeles With A Shared Vision Of building Something Special,And Fulfilled That Promise In manny Ways. With Unforgettable Goals and Historical Victories, Carlos Helped Convert The Lafc Into What He Is Today. Even though His Time On The Court For The Fc Comes To An End, We Are Delighted To Announce That Carlos Will Continue To Be Part Of The Black and Gold As An Official Ambassador For The Club, To Strengthen The Connection With Our Fans And Continue To Inspire The Next Generation Of Players.”
Legacy Etched In Mls History
As A Four-Time Mls All-star (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) And Three-Time Best Xi Selection (2018, 2019, 2022), Vela Captained Lafc To The Mls Cup Victory In 2022, Supporters’ Shield Titles In 2019 And 2022, And Two Concacaf Champions League Final Appearances (2020, 2023). He Also boasts a remarkable record Of contributing A Goal And An Assist In Seven Of His 13 Mls Cup Postseason Matches.
Rosenthal’s Gratitude
“in The Name Of The Rest Of My Fellow Owners,I Would Like To Express My Gratitude For All That Carlos Has Done To Help Launch Our Club And Establish The Standard Of black And Gold,” Said Main Owner Bennett Rosenthal. “Carlos’s Leadership On And off The Court, As Well As The grace And Style Of His Football, Will Always Be Present In The Hearts And Memories Of Our Fans. We Are Excited To See Him continue His Trip As Part Of The Lafc Family And We Wish Him The Best in This Next Chapter Of His Life.”
Statistical Dominance
Vela Stands As One Of Only 13 players In Mls History To Register At Least 75 Goals And 50 Assists, Achieving This Milestone In Just Six Seasons. In 2022, He Became The Third-Fastest Player To Reach 100 Goal Contributions, Accomplishing This Feat In A Mere 98 Games. During lafc’s Historic 2023 Season, Vela Played In A Career-High 34 Regular Season Games And 48 Games Across All Competitions, Contributing 14 Goals And 12 Assists.
His Record-Breaking 2019 Season Remains One Of The League’s Best,Setting A new Mls benchmark With 34 Regular Season Goals and 49 goal Contributions. His Goals-Per-Game Average Of 1.10 In 2019 Still Stands As an Mls Record.
International Stage
A Native Of Cancun, Mexico, Carlos Vela Was A Key Player For The Mexican National Team, Participating In The 2010 And 2018 World Cups, Earning 72 Caps And Scoring 19 Goals.
European Stint
Before Joining Lafc In 2017, Vela Spent Six Years With Real Sociedad In Spain (2011-2017), Making Over 200 Appearances And Scoring 72 Goals. He Began His European Career With Arsenal In 2005, With Loan Spells At Salamanca, Osasuna, And West Bromwich Albion Before His Permanent Transfer To Real Sociedad In 2012.He Was Named Real Sociedad’s Player Of The Year In 2011-12 And 2013-14.
Carlos Vela’s Key Achievements
- Mls Cup Champion: 2022
- Mls Supporters’ Shield Winner: 2019, 2022
- Us Open Cup Champion: 2024
- Mls Mvp: 2019
- Mls Best Xi: 2018, 2019, 2022
- Mls All-Star: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
- Mls Golden Boot: 2019
- Concacaf Champions League Best Xi: 2020, 2023
mls Records Held by Carlos Vela:
- Most Goals In A Season: 34 (2019)
- Most Goals And Assists Combined In A Season: 49 (2019)
- Highest Average Goals Per Game In A Season: 1.10 (2019)
- Fastest Player To Score 20 Goals In A Season: 21 games (2019)
- most Goals By A Mexican Player In mls History
- Fastest Player To Reach 75+ Goals And 50+ Assists
Comparing Vela’s Impact: Then and Now
Vela’s Influence extends Beyond Goals And assists. Here’s A Look At How His Presence Impacted Lafc.
| Aspect | Before Vela | With Vela |
|---|---|---|
| Team Performance | New Expansion Team | mls Cup Champions,Supporters’ Shield winners |
| Fan Base | Growing | Explosive Growth,dedicated Following |
| League Recognition | Minimal | international Recognition,League Dominance |
Pro Tip: For Emerging soccer talents,Studying Vela’s Adaptability And Skill Set offers A Blueprint For Success In A Competitive League.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carlos Vela’s Retirement
What Are Your Favorite Memories Of Carlos vela’s Career? Share Your Thoughts In The Comments Below!
