Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido professionally known as Carlos Vela is a Mexican professional footballer who captains and plays for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. He is a versatile player who can play as a forward, winger, and attacking midfielder. His shirt number is 10. 

Carlos Vela is a very talented football player. He started playing football for the youth team of Guadalajara where he caught the eye of various European clubs after finishing as the top scorer at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship. He then played for Arsenal, Celta Vigo (loan), Salamanca (loan), Osasuna (loan), West Bromwich Albion (loan), and Real Sociedad. Currently, he is playing for Los Angeles FC. 

On the international level, Carlos Vela has represented Mexico at various age levels. He has represented Mexico at U17, U20, and the senior level. He made his senior international team debut for Mexico on 12 September 2007. He participated in Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup victory in 2009 and participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He then rejected all subsequent call-ups for more than three years, including friendlies, World Cup qualifiers, and various major tournaments including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, citing various reasons for his refusals. In November 2014, after a three-year absence, he participated in Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF Cup victory in 2015. He then participated in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. From 2007 to 2018, he made 72 appearances and scored 19 goals for Mexico. 

Gossips and Rumors

Carlos Vela and Bob Bradley were named finalists for MLS Awards. Captain Carlos Vela and head coach Bob Bradley both earned distinctions on Tuesday as finalists for the end-of-year MLS Awards, which highlight the top talent and performances from across the league over the past season of play. Bradley is a finalist for the MLS Head Coach of the Year after his efforts in leading LAFC in its inaugural season. Vela, meanwhile, is nominated for two awards - the Landon Donovan MVP award and the MLS Newcomer of the Year.

Carlos Vela Famous For

• Being a Mexican professional football player.
• Captains and plays for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC

When was Carlos Vela born?

Carlos Vela was born on 1 March 1989. His birthplace is Cancún, Mexico. His birth name is Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido. He holds Mexican nationality and he belongs to the white ethnicity. Likewise, his religion is Christianity and as per his birthdate, his zodiac sign is Aries. He was born to his father, Enrique Vela, and to his mother, Nella Garrido. His father, Enrique Vela had played semi-professional football but an injury caused by a torn ligament caused him to retire. About his sibling, he has an older brother named Alejandra Vela. His older brother, Alejandro, is a former professional footballer. Information regarding his education is currently unavailable.

Carlos Vela Football Career

Club Career

• Carlos started his youth career by playing with Guadalajara in 2002.
• In 2005, he joined the youth team of Arsenal and began his career at the club.
• He played for Arsenal from the year 2005 to 2012 scoring 3 goals for Arsenal. Later, he was sent off to Salamanca on loan.
• He played 31 games for Salamanca scoring 8 goals in the 2007-2008 season.
• After that, he was again loaned to Osasuna and was further sent to West Bromwich Albion from the year 2008 to 2011.
• Later, he was loaned and transferred to Real Sociedad in the year 2011 to 2012 season and ended the season netting 12 goals in his 35 appearances for the club.
• After that, he made a free transfer to Real Sociedad and remained there as per his 5 years deal from 2012 till the end of the 2017's season netting 54 goals in a total of 184 appearances.
• On 10 April 2017, he became the second foreign player with the most appearances for the club with his 200th league match for Real Sociedad in a 3–1 victory against Sporting de Gijón
• In January 2018, he joined Los Angeles FC, winning the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Golden Boot in his second year, and setting a new league record for most goals in a season, with 34.

International Career

• He has represented Mexico at various age levels.
• He has represented Mexico at U17, U20, and the senior level.
• He played in the 2005 FIFA U17 World Championship, held in Peru where he helped Mexico to win the tournament. Additionally, he also finished as the top scorer with five goals, claiming the Adidas Golden Boot.
• He was part of Mexico's U20 team that participated in the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup.
• He made his senior international team debut for Mexico on 12 September 2007 in a 3-1 friendly loss against Brazil.
• On 17 October 2017, he scored his first senior international goal for Mexico in a 3-2 friendly loss against Guatemala in Los Angeles.
• He participated in Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup victory in 2009 and participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
• He then rejected all subsequent call-ups for more than three years, including friendlies, World Cup qualifiers, and various major tournaments including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, citing various reasons for his refusals.
• In November 2014, after a three-year absence, he participated in Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF Cup victory in 2015 as well as he also participated in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup.
• He retired from international football in 2018, as From 2007 to 2018, he made 72 appearances and scored 19 goals for Mexico. 

Carlos Vela's Wife and Children

Looking at his personal life, Carlos Vela is a married man. He got married to his long-term girlfriend, Saioa Canibano whom he met during his time at Real Sociedad. His wife, Saioa Canibano worked as a journalist for a local media outlet. They have been together since 2017. The couple is blessed with two children: a son named Romeo born on 19 November 2017 and a daughter named India born in October 2022. At present, he has an intimate relationship with his wife and children and they are living their life happily together.  

Carlos Vela’s Net Worth and Salary 2023

Carlos Vela is a very successful footballer and his major source of earnings is from his football career. He is a Mexican professional football player who currently plays for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. As of 2023, the net worth of Carlos Vela is believed to be around $20 million where he receives $4.6 million as a yearly salary from his current club. Besides this, he even adds more amount to his earnings through endorsement and sponsorship deals. His major deal is reported to be with Adidas and can be seen supporting the brand by wearing the shoes in his games. Moreover, he lives in a very nice house in the West Hollywood area, for which he would have paid $ 4 million. Details about his cars is unknown at present. In addition, his market value is around €5 million. Overall, he is satisfied with his earnings and he is living a luxurious lifestyle from his earnings.   

How tall is Carlos Vela?

Carlos Vela has got an athletic body shape. He stands at a height of 1.78m i.e. 5 feet and 10 inches tall. He has a bodyweight of 75kg. His eye color is brown and his hair color is black. His sexual orientation is straight. His other body measurement such as chest size, biceps size, and waist size is still got to get revealed yet. Overall, he has a very healthy body with an attractive body. He maintains his body a lot. With his glowing smile, he attracts a lot of people towards him. 

Carlos Vela’s Transfer History

• He started playing football for the youth team of Guadalajara in 2002.
• In 2005, he joined the youth team of Arsenal and began his career at the club.
• In February 2006, he was quickly loaned to Spanish club Celta Vigo until the end of the 2005-06 season.
• In July 2006, he was sent to the Spanish Segunda Division club Salamanca, on loan for the 2006-07 season.
• In July 2007, he eventually joined Osasuna on a one-year loan deal. 
• In January 2011, he joined West Brom on loan until the end of the 2010-11 season.
• In August 2011, he was loaned out to Spanish club Real Sociedad for the 2011-12 season. 
• Following his impressive performances, in August 2012, he was officially transferred to Real Sociedad from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.
• In August 2017, he was signed by Los Angeles FC, becoming the first designated player of the team and officially joining the team on 1 January 2018.

Awards and Achievements

Honors

• Won the 2019 Supporters’ Shield with Los Angeles FC.
• Won the 2005 FIFA U17 World Championship with Mexico U17.
• Won the 2009, 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico.
• Won the 2015 CONCACAF Cup with Mexico.

Awards

• Won the 2005 FIFA U17 World Championship Golden Boot.
• Won the 2011-12, 2013-14 Real Sociedad Player of the Year.
• Won the 2019 MLS Gold Boot.
• Won the 2019 MLS MVP Award.
• Won the 2022 Best MLS Player ESPY.