LAFC’s Carlos Vela on Messi’s MLS impact, Leagues Cup and when he’ll retire

Carlos Vela knows the end of his football career is near. The LAFC star and Mexican international turned 34 this year, and Vela knows that footballers are not blessed with immorality, no matter how high their pedestal may be perceived to be. 

“You get to an age when you can’t fool yourself anymore into thinking that you’re going to play five to 10 more years,” Vela tells The Athletic . “Now, each year I have to take stock of my body, my mind in order to keep playing.” 

Vela is dubbed “the King of LA” by the LAFC faithful. His star rose further after LAFC’s MLS Cup winning campaign last season. Now Vela, one of Mexico’s most popular players, is playing for more trophies, as he ponders what his future may look like when he hangs up his boots.

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“I want to end (my career) well. I don’t want to be let go because I can’t play anymore.” Vela says. “If my mind and body aren’t at 100 percent, I’ll step aside and let others step in. I’ve always been clear about that. I know it’s coming soon.”

Vela has scored 178 goals for club and country in a career that began at Chivas de Guadalajara in 2002. He played briefly for Arsenal and then bounced around in Europe, finally settling at Real Sociedad in 2011. In over 200 appearances for the Basque club, Vela was far and away the side’s star player, which is a rarity for Mexican footballers. 

Hugo Sánchez played over 200 games for Real Madrid in the 1980s. Rafael Márquez was a standout center defender for seven seasons in Barcelona. Vela’s good friend and LA rival, the Galaxy’s Javier Hernández, had a fruitful spell in Europe with Manchester United and Real Madrid. And no Mexican player has had a longer career in Europe than Andrés Guardado, who has become an