Carlos Vela Announces Retirement After 19-Year Soccer Career

Los Angeles, CA – Carlos Vela, a legendary figure in Major League Soccer (MLS), has officially announced his retirement from professional soccer after a remarkable 19-year career. The forward leaves the field as one of the most recognized players in MLS history and holds the record for most games played (152), minutes played (11,194), goals (78), and assists (59) for the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC).

Nicknamed ‘El Bombardero,’ Vela was named the MLS Most Valuable Player in 2019 after scoring an unprecedented 34 goals in a single season. At 35, he will remain with LAFC as the club’s first Black & Gold Ambassador and will be honored during ‘Carlos Vela Night’ on September 21 against Real Salt Lake.

“Helping to build LAFC and winning trophies for the club is one of the highlights of my career,” Vela said. “This club means so much to me and my family, and I am proud of everything we have achieved together with the great Los Angeles fans. I’m excited to start this new chapter in my journey here in Los Angeles.”

Vela joined LAFC as the first player in the club’s history by signing as a Designated Player in August 2017, just before the team’s inaugural season in 2018. He played his last match with LAFC on October 27, 2024, against Vancouver in the playoffs at BMO Stadium.

“Carlos has been more than just a player; he has been the heart, captain, and image of LAFC,” said co-president and general manager John Thorrington. “He arrived in Los Angeles with a shared vision to build something truly special, and he fulfilled that promise in every way. While his playing days with LAFC come to an end, we are pleased to announce that Carlos will remain part of the team as an official ambassador.

Vela has earned a spot in LAFC’s and MLS’s history with memorable performances throughout his career. He was named an MLS All-Star four times (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) and selected three times for the league’s Best XI (2018, 2019, 2022). He also led LAFC to the MLS Cup in 2022 and the Supporters’ Shields in 2019 and 2022.

Throughout the playoffs, Vela scored or assisted in at least one goal in seven of the 13 MLS Cup playoff games he participated in. He is one of only 13 players in MLS history to register at least 75 goals and 50 assists, achieving this feat in just six seasons. In 2022, he became the third-fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goal contributions (goals plus assists), accomplishing it in just 98 matches.

Vela contributed to LAFC’s historic 2023 season, playing a career-high 34 regular-season matches and participating in 48 overall, with 14 goals and 12 assists. His 2019 MVP season remains one of the best performances in league history, setting an MLS record with 34 goals in a regular season and totaling 49 goal contributions. His average of 1.10 goals per game in 2019 is also an ongoing MLS record.

Born in Cancún, Mexico, Vela was a key player for the Mexican national team, participating in the 2010 and 2018 World Cups. In total, he played 72 matches for El Tri, scoring 19 goals. Before joining LAFC, Vela began his career as a youth player at Chivas in Liga MX and moved to the Spanish top division with Real Sociedad from 2011 to 2017, where he played over 200 matches, scoring 72 goals. He began his career with Arsenal in the English Premier League in 2005 and played for Salamanca, Osasuna, and West Bromwich Albion before officially signing with Real Sociedad in 2012.

Vela was named Player of the Year at Real Sociedad in 2011-12 and 2013-14. The No. 10 played over 550 matches in his professional career.