Carlos Vela, one of the most talented players to ever come out of Mexico, officially announced his retirement from soccer at 36-years-old, having been without a club for the entirety of 2025.
After a 10-month absence from the pitch, Vela returned to action with LAFC for a brief stint near the end of the 2024 MLS season. Vela played four minutes in LAFC's 2–1 win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps on Oct. 27, 2024, the last time he took the field in his professional career.
