Carlos Vela
Encyclopedia
Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido (born 1 March 1989 in Cancún
, Quintana Roo
) is a Mexican
association football player, currently playing as a striker for La Liga
club Real Sociedad
on loan from Arsenal
. He also plays for the Mexico national football team
. He started his career at Mexican club C.D. Guadalajara
, and caught the eye after finishing as the top scorer at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
. After joining Arsenal, he has had loan spells at Spanish clubs UD Salamanca
and CA Osasuna
.
Aside from his Mexican nationality, Vela also holds a Spanish passport.
, alongside his brother Alejandro Vela
. After winning the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
with Mexico
and finishing as the top scorer with five goals, Jorge Vergara
, owner and president of Chivas de Guadalajara, offered to sign him. Since Vela's family lived in the then-recently-storm-stricken Cancún
, Quintana Roo
, he asked that the club help relocate them as a condition of his signing. Vela had previously shown his great affection to his father, whose birthday fell on the day on which Mexico beat Brazil
in the final of the U-17 World Cup, by carrying the cup to his father and dedicating his Golden Boot to him.
won the race for his signature in November 2005 on a five-year deal for a £125,000 fee that rose to £550,000 after he played 50 first-team games. However, since English work permit
restrictions for non-EU citizens prevented him from playing in England, Arsenal quickly loaned him out to Celta de Vigo
in February 2006, but was returned right away with no games played.
club Salamanca
, on loan for the 2006–07 season. He would have a successful stay there, creating many of Salamanca's 53 goals, eight of which he scored himself.
, such as Levante
, Osasuna
and Almería
were all interested in taking him on loan from Arsenal for whom he was still ineligible to play as he still had yet to receive a work permit. Eventually, a one year loan move to Osasuna was agreed, with the option of an extension for another year. However, no permanent option had been contemplated. On 31 October 2007, he scored his first goal with Osasuna, in a match against Real Betis
, a performance that went on to earn several plaudits from the Spanish press.
confirmed that Vela would be involved with the first team in the coming season and that he viewed Vela as a striker in the Eduardo
mould.
Vela made his competitive debut for Arsenal on 30 August 2008 in their Premier League match against Newcastle United
, coming on as a substitute for Robin Van Persie
in the 63rd minute. Arsenal won the match 3–0. In his full debut on 23 September 2008 against Sheffield United
in the League Cup, Vela scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 win, with his second goal recently voted as one of Arsenal's 50 greatest goals. The match was also notable for featuring Arsenal's youngest ever side, with an average age of 19.
On 8 March 2009, in the FA Cup Fifth Round
tie against Burnley
, Vela scored the first goal in a 3–0 win, chipping the ball over the keeper and into the goal. He scored his first goal in the Premier League for Arsenal away to Portsmouth on 2 May 2009 making him just the second Mexican player to score a goal in the Premier League.
On 28 April 2009, he was excluded from Arsenal's training session as a precaution due to the 2009 swine flu outbreak
. Vela had two friends from Mexico visit him over the weekend and Arsenal were asked to keep him away. However, he returned to training the next day after being given the all-clear.
Vela missed Arsenal's pre-season campaign of the 2009–10 season after suffering an ankle injury which kept him out until September. He returned to action on 22 September by coming off the bench in Arsenal's 2–0 win by assisting the first and scoring the second goal against West Bromwich Albion
in the Carling Cup. On 21 November 2009 Vela made his first appearance this season in the Premier League away to Sunderland
, playing 21 minutes after coming on as a substitute for Eduardo. Vela renewed his contract with Arsenal on 10 December 2009. On 4 May 2010, Vela played his 50th game in an Arsenal shirt, against Blackburn Rovers. On 9 May 2010, he scored the fourth goal of Arsenal's victory over Fulham.
Vela wore the number 11 shirt for the 2010–11 campaign, as Robin van Persie
has switched to the number 10, which was vacated by former Arsenal defender William Gallas
. Coincidently, his brother Alejandro
also wears the number 11 shirt for Cruz Azul in Mexico. He scored his first goal of the season against Bolton Wanderers in a 4–1 home win on 11 September 2010. On 15 September 2010 Vela scored two goals in the UEFA Champions League
when Arsenal beat Portuguese side SC Braga
6–0.
, subject to a medical. After passing the medical exams, he was officially presented on 17 August 2011. As Vela was sent away on loan, his number 11 shirt number was given to new Arsenal signing André Santos, the club's website still lists Vela as having the shirt number 11.
, held in Peru, where he helped Mexico
to victory. He was a pivotal figure in the final against Brazil
as Mexico triumphed 3–0. Vela subsequently finished as top scorer with five goals, claiming the Adidas Golden Boot.
During his stay at Osasuna, Vela made his full international debut for Mexico in a September 2007 friendly against Brazil
. On 18 October 2007, Vela scored his first senior international goal for Mexico in a friendly against Guatemala
played in Los Angeles.
Vela was called up for the two-legged playoff against Belize
and the preceding friendlies. On 8 June 2008, Vela scored his second senior international goal for Mexico in a friendly against Peru
at the 20th minute to help Mexico with their 4–0 victory. A match later for Mexico he scored in their qualifying opener versus Belize making the match 1–0. In the return leg against Belize he again scored the opening goal of the match and beginning the 7–0 rout in favour of Mexico.
In mid-2009, Vela was called up to play in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
. He scored his fifth goal in a preparation friendly for the Gold Cup against Venezuela
. Vela subsequently started in Mexico's opener against Nicaragua
. However, after five minutes, an opposing player tackled Vela and he fell awkwardly on his right leg. However, x-rays showed he did not break anything and could play again in the tournament. Mexico would advance to the semi-finals against Costa Rica
, where Vela would make his return in the 81st minute. After extra time, the game was tied 1–1 and went to penalties. After Guillermo Ochoa
saved Ledezma's
penalty, Vela scored Mexico's fifth penalty to send them to the final. In the Gold Cup final, Vela was brought on at half time with the score deadlocked at 0–0. Mexico went on to defeat the US 5–0 with Vela providing the pass to Giovani Dos Santos
for the first penalty, creating the second goal, scoring the third and assisting the fourth. Vela scored one goal and assisted a goal in Mexico's 4–1 win over El Salvador which meant Mexico qualified for the 2010 World Cup. In the match against New Zealand, he scored a goal, in which he took out three defenders before tapping the ball next to the goalkeeper Glen Moss
.
On 3 June 2010, he scored his first international goal against a team from Europe, Italy
. He scored the first goal of the game with an assist from Giovani dos Santos
. Mexico won this game 2–1.
During a game against France
he got struck in the right leg and got injured, Vela went out in the first half against and missed the 1–0 loss to Uruguay
. When Mexico played Uruguay in the World Cup Vela's place was taken by Cuauhtemoc Blanco
.
On 21 September 2010 it was announced that Vela and fellow Mexican international Efrain Juarez
would be suspended from the Mexican National Team for 6 months for their involvement in a party on 7 September in Monterrey following a game with Colombia. Vela and 12 other players will also be fined 50,000 Mexican peso
(approx. US$3,953 as of 24 September 2010), and the money collected will most likely be used to help the flood victims in the Mexican state of Veracruz.
|-
|1. || 17 October 2007 || Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
, Los Angeles, United States || || align=center|2–1 || align=center|2–3 || Friendly
|-
|2. || 8 June 2008 || Soldier Field
, Chicago, United States || || align=center|3–0 || align=center|4–0 || Friendly
|-
|3. || 15 June 2008 || Reliant Stadium
, Houston, United States || || align=center|1–0 || align=center|2–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|4. || 21 June 2008 || Estadio Universitario
, San Nicolás
, Mexico ||
Belize
|| align=center|1–0 || align=center|7–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|5. || 24 June 2009 || Georgia Dome
, Atlanta, United States || || align=center|1–0 || align=center|4–0 || Friendly
|-
|6. || 26 July 2009 || Giants Stadium
, East Rutherford
, United States || || align=center|3–0 || align=center|5–0 || 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
|-
|7. || 10 October 2009 || Estadio Azteca
, Mexico City, Mexico || || align=center|4–1 || align=center|4–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|8. || 3 March 2010 || Rose Bowl
, Pasadena
, United States || || align=center|2–0 || align=center|2–0 || Friendly
|-
|9. || 3 June 2010 || King Baudouin Stadium
, Brussels, Belgium || || align=center|1–0 || align=center|2–1 || Friendly
|}
Cancún
Cancún is a city of international tourism development certified by the UNWTO . Located on the northeast coast of Quintana Roo in southern Mexico, more than 1,700 km from Mexico City, the Project began operations in 1974 as Integrally Planned Center, a pioneer of FONATUR Cancún is a city of...
, Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Quintana Roo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 10 municipalities and its capital city is Chetumal....
) is a Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
association football player, currently playing as a striker for La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
club Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
on loan from Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. He also plays for the Mexico national football team
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
. He started his career at Mexican club C.D. Guadalajara
C.D. Guadalajara
Club Deportivo Guadalajara , is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Guadalajara plays in the Primera División de México and is the most successful club in Mexican football, having won 11 First Division titles, 7 Campeón de Campeones and 2 Copa México...
, and caught the eye after finishing as the top scorer at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship was held in the cities of Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura and Iquitos in Peru between 16 September and 2 October 2005. Players born after 1 January 1988 could participate in this tournament...
. After joining Arsenal, he has had loan spells at Spanish clubs UD Salamanca
UD Salamanca
Unión Deportiva Salamanca, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Salamanca, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 16 March 1923, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 2....
and CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
.
Aside from his Mexican nationality, Vela also holds a Spanish passport.
Guadalajara
Carlos Vela's career started with GuadalajaraC.D. Guadalajara
Club Deportivo Guadalajara , is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Guadalajara plays in the Primera División de México and is the most successful club in Mexican football, having won 11 First Division titles, 7 Campeón de Campeones and 2 Copa México...
, alongside his brother Alejandro Vela
Alejandro Vela
Alejandro Vela is a Mexican football striker who currently plays for Cruz Azul in the Primera Division de Mexico, having previously played for Chivas de Guadalajara and Jaguares....
. After winning the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship was held in the cities of Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura and Iquitos in Peru between 16 September and 2 October 2005. Players born after 1 January 1988 could participate in this tournament...
with Mexico
Mexico national under-17 football team
The Mexico U-17 national football team is one of the younger teams that represents Mexico in football, and is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation . A two time FIFA U-17 World Cup champion, the team has enjoyed recent success as it was crowned in the 2005 and 2011 editions of the tournament...
and finishing as the top scorer with five goals, Jorge Vergara
Jorge Vergara
Jorge Vergara is a Mexican businessman and film producer. He's the founder of Grupo Omnilife, one of the top 200 corporations in Mexico. Grupo Omnilife owns the football clubs: Club Deportivo Guadalajara of Mexico, C.D...
, owner and president of Chivas de Guadalajara, offered to sign him. Since Vela's family lived in the then-recently-storm-stricken Cancún
Cancún
Cancún is a city of international tourism development certified by the UNWTO . Located on the northeast coast of Quintana Roo in southern Mexico, more than 1,700 km from Mexico City, the Project began operations in 1974 as Integrally Planned Center, a pioneer of FONATUR Cancún is a city of...
, Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Quintana Roo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 10 municipalities and its capital city is Chetumal....
, he asked that the club help relocate them as a condition of his signing. Vela had previously shown his great affection to his father, whose birthday fell on the day on which Mexico beat Brazil
Brazil national under-17 football team
-Round of 16:-----Quarterfinals:-----Semifinals:-----Bronze medal match:----- See also:* Brazil national football team* Brazil Olympic football team* Brazil national under-20 football team* South American Under-17 Football Championship...
in the final of the U-17 World Cup, by carrying the cup to his father and dedicating his Golden Boot to him.
Arsenal
Vela attracted interest from a number of European clubs, and eventually ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
won the race for his signature in November 2005 on a five-year deal for a £125,000 fee that rose to £550,000 after he played 50 first-team games. However, since English work permit
Work permit
Work permit is a generic term for a legal authorization which allows a person to take employment.It is most often used in reference to instances where a person is given permission to work in a country where one does not hold citizenship, but is also used in reference to minors, who in some...
restrictions for non-EU citizens prevented him from playing in England, Arsenal quickly loaned him out to Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
in February 2006, but was returned right away with no games played.
Salamanca (loan)
At the end of the season, Vela was sent to Spanish Segunda DivisiónSegunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
club Salamanca
UD Salamanca
Unión Deportiva Salamanca, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Salamanca, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 16 March 1923, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 2....
, on loan for the 2006–07 season. He would have a successful stay there, creating many of Salamanca's 53 goals, eight of which he scored himself.
Osasuna (loan)
After his loan spell with Salamanca ended, bigger clubs of La LigaLa Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, such as Levante
Levante UD
Levante Unión Deportiva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, in the namesake community.Founded in 1909, it plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadi Ciutat de València.-Early years:...
, Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
and Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
were all interested in taking him on loan from Arsenal for whom he was still ineligible to play as he still had yet to receive a work permit. Eventually, a one year loan move to Osasuna was agreed, with the option of an extension for another year. However, no permanent option had been contemplated. On 31 October 2007, he scored his first goal with Osasuna, in a match against Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
, a performance that went on to earn several plaudits from the Spanish press.
Return to Arsenal
On 22 May 2008, Vela was granted a work permit that allowed him to play in England. Arsenal manager Arsène WengerArsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
confirmed that Vela would be involved with the first team in the coming season and that he viewed Vela as a striker in the Eduardo
Eduardo da Silva
Eduardo Alves da Silva , commonly known as Eduardo, sometimes nicknamed as Dudu, is a Brazilian-born Croatian footballer who plays for Ukrainian Premier League club Shakhtar Donetsk and the Croatia national team...
mould.
Vela made his competitive debut for Arsenal on 30 August 2008 in their Premier League match against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, coming on as a substitute for Robin Van Persie
Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord. Having joined Arsenal in 2004, Van Persie became the club captain on 16 August 2011...
in the 63rd minute. Arsenal won the match 3–0. In his full debut on 23 September 2008 against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in the League Cup, Vela scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 win, with his second goal recently voted as one of Arsenal's 50 greatest goals. The match was also notable for featuring Arsenal's youngest ever side, with an average age of 19.
On 8 March 2009, in the FA Cup Fifth Round
FA Cup 2008-09
The 2008–09 FA Cup was the 128th season of the world's oldest football knockout competition; The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short. A record 762 clubs were accepted for the competition; one club, South Normanton Athletic, folded before the fixtures were released, leaving 761...
tie against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, Vela scored the first goal in a 3–0 win, chipping the ball over the keeper and into the goal. He scored his first goal in the Premier League for Arsenal away to Portsmouth on 2 May 2009 making him just the second Mexican player to score a goal in the Premier League.
On 28 April 2009, he was excluded from Arsenal's training session as a precaution due to the 2009 swine flu outbreak
2009 flu pandemic
The 2009 flu pandemic was an influenza pandemic, and the second of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus , albeit in a new version...
. Vela had two friends from Mexico visit him over the weekend and Arsenal were asked to keep him away. However, he returned to training the next day after being given the all-clear.
Vela missed Arsenal's pre-season campaign of the 2009–10 season after suffering an ankle injury which kept him out until September. He returned to action on 22 September by coming off the bench in Arsenal's 2–0 win by assisting the first and scoring the second goal against West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in the Carling Cup. On 21 November 2009 Vela made his first appearance this season in the Premier League away to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, playing 21 minutes after coming on as a substitute for Eduardo. Vela renewed his contract with Arsenal on 10 December 2009. On 4 May 2010, Vela played his 50th game in an Arsenal shirt, against Blackburn Rovers. On 9 May 2010, he scored the fourth goal of Arsenal's victory over Fulham.
Vela wore the number 11 shirt for the 2010–11 campaign, as Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord. Having joined Arsenal in 2004, Van Persie became the club captain on 16 August 2011...
has switched to the number 10, which was vacated by former Arsenal defender William Gallas
William Gallas
William Eric Gallas is a French footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur.Gallas began his career in France, before being signed by English club Chelsea in 2001. He transferred to rivals Arsenal as part of an exchange deal in 2006...
. Coincidently, his brother Alejandro
Alejandro Vela
Alejandro Vela is a Mexican football striker who currently plays for Cruz Azul in the Primera Division de Mexico, having previously played for Chivas de Guadalajara and Jaguares....
also wears the number 11 shirt for Cruz Azul in Mexico. He scored his first goal of the season against Bolton Wanderers in a 4–1 home win on 11 September 2010. On 15 September 2010 Vela scored two goals in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
when Arsenal beat Portuguese side SC Braga
SC Braga
Sporting Clube de Braga , commonly known as Sporting de Braga or just Braga, is a Portuguese sports club, from the city of Braga. Its football team plays at the AXA Stadium, also known as The Quarry, which was built for UEFA Euro 2004...
6–0.
West Bromwich (loan)
On 28 January 2011, Vela joined on loan until the end of the 2010–11 season. He made his debut on 1 February 2011 in a 2–2 draw against playing 58 minutes of the game . He scored his first goal coming in as a substitute for the Baggies in his third match for the club with a 92nd minute equaliser against on 20 February 2011. Vela once again scored for West Brom in the dying minutes of a game against Stoke City to salvage a 1–1 draw yet again after coming on as a late substitute.Real Sociedad (loan)
On 15 August 2011, Arsenal announced that Vela would be loaned out to Spanish club Real SociedadReal Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, subject to a medical. After passing the medical exams, he was officially presented on 17 August 2011. As Vela was sent away on loan, his number 11 shirt number was given to new Arsenal signing André Santos, the club's website still lists Vela as having the shirt number 11.
International career
Vela played in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship was held in the cities of Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura and Iquitos in Peru between 16 September and 2 October 2005. Players born after 1 January 1988 could participate in this tournament...
, held in Peru, where he helped Mexico
Mexico national under-17 football team
The Mexico U-17 national football team is one of the younger teams that represents Mexico in football, and is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation . A two time FIFA U-17 World Cup champion, the team has enjoyed recent success as it was crowned in the 2005 and 2011 editions of the tournament...
to victory. He was a pivotal figure in the final against Brazil
Brazil national under-17 football team
-Round of 16:-----Quarterfinals:-----Semifinals:-----Bronze medal match:----- See also:* Brazil national football team* Brazil Olympic football team* Brazil national under-20 football team* South American Under-17 Football Championship...
as Mexico triumphed 3–0. Vela subsequently finished as top scorer with five goals, claiming the Adidas Golden Boot.
During his stay at Osasuna, Vela made his full international debut for Mexico in a September 2007 friendly against Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
. On 18 October 2007, Vela scored his first senior international goal for Mexico in a friendly against Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
played in Los Angeles.
Vela was called up for the two-legged playoff against Belize
Belize national football team
The Belize national football team is the national team of Belize and is controlled by the Football Federation of Belize. It is affiliated to the Central American Football Union of CONCACAF...
and the preceding friendlies. On 8 June 2008, Vela scored his second senior international goal for Mexico in a friendly against Peru
Peru national football team
The Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America...
at the 20th minute to help Mexico with their 4–0 victory. A match later for Mexico he scored in their qualifying opener versus Belize making the match 1–0. In the return leg against Belize he again scored the opening goal of the match and beginning the 7–0 rout in favour of Mexico.
In mid-2009, Vela was called up to play in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the tenth edition of the Gold Cup competition, and the twentieth association football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean . It was contested from 3 July to 26 July 2009 in the United States. This competition was the fourth tournament...
. He scored his fifth goal in a preparation friendly for the Gold Cup against Venezuela
Venezuela national football team
The Venezuela national football team is the national football team of Venezuela and is controlled by the Federación Venezolana de Fútbol. It is nicknamed La Vinotinto , because of the traditional burgundy color of their shirts....
. Vela subsequently started in Mexico's opener against Nicaragua
Nicaragua national football team
The Nicaragua national football team is the national team of Nicaragua and is controlled by the Nicaraguan Football Federation. It is among the weakest teams in Central America and achieved its first qualification to a major international competition in 2009, when they qualified for the 2009...
. However, after five minutes, an opposing player tackled Vela and he fell awkwardly on his right leg. However, x-rays showed he did not break anything and could play again in the tournament. Mexico would advance to the semi-finals against Costa Rica
Costa Rica national football team
The Costa Rica national football team, nicknamed La Sele, is the national team of Costa Rica and is controlled by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol. Costa Rica is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States...
, where Vela would make his return in the 81st minute. After extra time, the game was tied 1–1 and went to penalties. After Guillermo Ochoa
Guillermo Ochoa
Francisco Guillermo Ochoa Magaña is a Mexican goalkeeper who currently plays for French Ligue 1 club Ajaccio. He also plays for the Mexican national football team.-América:...
saved Ledezma's
Froylán Ledezma
Froylán Ledezma Stevens is a Costa Rican international football forward who currently plays for Admira Wacker. His nickname is "El Cachorro" which means "The Puppy".-Club career:...
penalty, Vela scored Mexico's fifth penalty to send them to the final. In the Gold Cup final, Vela was brought on at half time with the score deadlocked at 0–0. Mexico went on to defeat the US 5–0 with Vela providing the pass to Giovani Dos Santos
Giovani Dos Santos
Giovani dos Santos Ramírez is a Mexican footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. He can also play as a winger or second striker. Since joining Tottenham, he has had loan spells at Ipswich Town, Galatasaray and Racing de Santander...
for the first penalty, creating the second goal, scoring the third and assisting the fourth. Vela scored one goal and assisted a goal in Mexico's 4–1 win over El Salvador which meant Mexico qualified for the 2010 World Cup. In the match against New Zealand, he scored a goal, in which he took out three defenders before tapping the ball next to the goalkeeper Glen Moss
Glen Moss
Glen Moss is a New Zealand association football goalkeeper who currently plays for A-League club Gold Coast United, and has represented New Zealand at international level.-Return to the A-League:...
.
On 3 June 2010, he scored his first international goal against a team from Europe, Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
. He scored the first goal of the game with an assist from Giovani dos Santos
Giovani Dos Santos
Giovani dos Santos Ramírez is a Mexican footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. He can also play as a winger or second striker. Since joining Tottenham, he has had loan spells at Ipswich Town, Galatasaray and Racing de Santander...
. Mexico won this game 2–1.
During a game against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
he got struck in the right leg and got injured, Vela went out in the first half against and missed the 1–0 loss to Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
. When Mexico played Uruguay in the World Cup Vela's place was taken by Cuauhtemoc Blanco
Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo is a Mexican professional footballer currently signed for Irapuato in the Mexican Liga de Ascenso.Known for his aggressive yet charismatic personality on the field, playing most of his career as a deep-lying forward and his last years as an attacking midfielder...
.
On 21 September 2010 it was announced that Vela and fellow Mexican international Efrain Juarez
Efrain Juárez
Efraín Juárez Valdez is a Mexican footballer who currently plays as a right back for La Liga club Real Zaragoza on loan from Celtic, and the Mexico national team.-Club Universidad Nacional:...
would be suspended from the Mexican National Team for 6 months for their involvement in a party on 7 September in Monterrey following a game with Colombia. Vela and 12 other players will also be fined 50,000 Mexican peso
Mexican peso
The peso is the currency of Mexico. Modern peso and dollar currencies have a common origin in the 15th–19th century Spanish dollar, most continuing to use its sign, "$". The Mexican peso is the 12th most traded currency in the world, the third most traded in the Americas, and by far the most...
(approx. US$3,953 as of 24 September 2010), and the money collected will most likely be used to help the flood victims in the Mexican state of Veracruz.
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Salamanca UD Salamanca Unión Deportiva Salamanca, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Salamanca, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 16 March 1923, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 2.... (loan) |
2006–07 | 31 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 8 | 15 |
| Total | 31 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 8 | 15 | |
| Osasuna (loan) | 2007–08 | 33 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 4 |
| Total | 33 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 4 | |
| Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
2008–09 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 6 | 4 |
| 2009–10 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Premier League The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011... |
4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 1 | |
| Total | 29 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 62 | 11 | 7 | |
| West Bromwich Albion (loan) | 2010–11 2010–11 Premier League The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011... |
8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 1 | |
| Real Sociedad Real Sociedad Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909... (loan) |
2011–12 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 2 | |
| Career Total | 110 | 17 | 24 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 144 | 25 | 29 | |
International
Statistics accurate as of 4 April 2011| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico Mexico national football team The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre... |
2007 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2010 | 11 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 35 | 9 | |
International goals
- Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first.
|-
|1. || 17 October 2007 || Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
, Los Angeles, United States || || align=center|2–1 || align=center|2–3 || Friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
|-
|2. || 8 June 2008 || Soldier Field
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
, Chicago, United States || || align=center|3–0 || align=center|4–0 || Friendly
|-
|3. || 15 June 2008 || Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface....
, Houston, United States || || align=center|1–0 || align=center|2–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
The CONCACAF qualification stage for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa consisted of 35 national teams competing for the three berths given automatically to CONCACAF by FIFA. The United States, Mexico and Honduras qualified...
|-
|4. || 21 June 2008 || Estadio Universitario
Estadio Universitario
The Estadio Universitario – nicknamed El Volcán is a stadium property of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, located in its premises in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León in Mexico.-Sports:...
, San Nicolás
San Nicolás de los Garza
San Nicolás de los Garza, sometimes known only as San Nicolás, is a city and coextensive municipality in the Mexican state of Nuevo León that is part of the Monterrey Metropolitan area. It has become primarily a city for residencies and family houses, although it still has several factories that...
, Mexico ||
BelizeBelize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
|| align=center|1–0 || align=center|7–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|5. || 24 June 2009 || Georgia Dome
Georgia Dome
The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...
, Atlanta, United States || || align=center|1–0 || align=center|4–0 || Friendly
|-
|6. || 26 July 2009 || Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
, East Rutherford
East Rutherford, New Jersey
East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan....
, United States || || align=center|3–0 || align=center|5–0 || 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the tenth edition of the Gold Cup competition, and the twentieth association football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean . It was contested from 3 July to 26 July 2009 in the United States. This competition was the fourth tournament...
|-
|7. || 10 October 2009 || Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca is a stadium in Santa Ursula, Mexico City, Mexico. It is the official home stadium of the Mexico national football team and the Mexican team Club América.The stadium was the venue for football soccer in the 1968 Summer Olympics....
, Mexico City, Mexico || || align=center|4–1 || align=center|4–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
|8. || 3 March 2010 || Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl (stadium)
The Rose Bowl is an outdoor athletic stadium in Pasadena, California, U.S., in Los Angeles County. The stadium is the site of the annual college football bowl game, the Rose Bowl, held on New Year's Day. In 1982, it became the home field of the UCLA Bruins college football team of the Pac-12...
, Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, United States || || align=center|2–0 || align=center|2–0 || Friendly
|-
|9. || 3 June 2010 || King Baudouin Stadium
King Baudouin Stadium
The King Baudouin Stadium is a sports ground in north-west Brussels, Belgium. It was inaugurated on 23 August 1930 as the Stade du Jubilé or Jubelstadion in the presence of Prince Leopold. It was built to embellish the Heysel plateau in view of the Brussels International Exposition...
, Brussels, Belgium || || align=center|1–0 || align=center|2–1 || Friendly
|}
International
Mexico- FIFA U-17 World Championship: 20052005 FIFA U-17 World ChampionshipThe 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship was held in the cities of Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura and Iquitos in Peru between 16 September and 2 October 2005. Players born after 1 January 1988 could participate in this tournament...
- CONCACAF Gold CupCONCACAF Gold CupThe CONCACAF Gold Cup is the main association football competition of the men's national football teams governed by CONCACAF, determining the regional champion of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.The Gold Cup is held every two years and when it does not fall the same year as an...
: 20092009 CONCACAF Gold CupThe 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the tenth edition of the Gold Cup competition, and the twentieth association football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean . It was contested from 3 July to 26 July 2009 in the United States. This competition was the fourth tournament...