Farewell or Pause? The Enigma of Carlos Vela

We're talking about a player who, over six seasons, became synonymous with success, skill, and above all, a true legend of LAFC. But now, in 2024, what's in store for Carlos Vela?

Since December 2023, Vela hasn't stepped on the field for an official match. The last time we saw him in action was during LAFC's bitter defeat in the MLS Cup. Since then, speculation about his retirement or possible return has intensified, but what's really going on?

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Well, Vela hasn't officially announced his retirement. That's a fact. However, he isn't in talks with any club at the moment, and his contract with LAFC expired last winter without both parties reaching an agreement. The renewal saga was long and frustrating: LAFC didn't want to grant him "Designated Player" (DP) status, something Vela considered essential. The impasse was such that neither side budged, and thus the deal fell through.

Despite all this uncertainty, one thing is clear: if Vela decides to return to the field, he wants to do it in Los Angeles. It's almost poetic, isn't it? The player who put LAFC on the map wants to continue writing his story in the same city that embraced him so warmly. However, LAFC itself is currently not an option. There are no negotiations underway, and that's unlikely to change in the near future. But hold on, that doesn't mean the club wouldn't be willing to welcome him back, either as a player or in some other role.

The fact is, since the contract ended, Vela has been enjoying life. If you follow him on Instagram, you must have seen photos of him and his family enjoying the snow in Colorado and, more recently, in Italy and France. None of these photos involve a soccer ball, a field, or a goal celebration. It's as if Vela is in a stage of his life where he's simply savoring every moment away from the pressures and responsibilities of professional soccer.

However, Vela's absence on the field hasn't gone unnoticed. During the preparation for the 2024 MLS season, while LAFC was gearing up to face the Seattle Sounders, Vela was out of the club's plans for the first time in its history. The impact of his absence was felt not only by the fans but also by the media, which incessantly questioned his former teammates about his situation.

But, unfortunately, nothing was resolved. By the summer of 2024, Vela still hadn't played a competitive match since that fateful defeat in December. Has Vela's career come to an end? All signs point to yes, though the player himself hasn't made any definitive announcements.

During the months following the contract's end, Vela received some offers, but none materialized. The San Jose Earthquakes tried to negotiate in the spring, but no agreement was reached. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy, which many expected to make a bid, didn't make a move, even with the presence of Will Kuntz, a former LAFC technical staff member, now at Galaxy. And as for the new club, San Diego FC, set to join MLS in 2025, there's no interest in Vela at the moment either.

Vela, with all his brilliance, never showed a strong desire to return to Liga MX, not even to his hometown of Cancun. His brother, Alejandro Vela, is the sporting director of Cancun FC, but even that doesn't seem to draw him back to Mexico.

Looking back, Vela's career in MLS is nothing short of legendary. He was the architect of the greatest individual season in league history in 2019, with 34 goals and 19 assists, a record no other star has matched. His achievements include two Supporters’ Shields (2019 and 2022), one MLS Cup (2022), and leading LAFC to two CONCACAF Champions League finals, though they didn't win. In total, Vela scored 78 goals and provided 42 primary assists in 152 matches for LAFC.

If this truly is a farewell, the least we can expect is for Vela to receive the tribute he deserves. If he decides to hang up his boots, may it be with the dignity and recognition his undeniable talent warrants. And who knows, maybe in the near future, we'll see Vela back at LAFC, whether on the field, on the bench, or in any other role that celebrates his enormous contribution to the club.