Carlos Vela Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics

Carlos Vela is a Mexican professional soccer player who has played as both a winger and a forward for clubs in England, Spain, and the United States. He first came into the spotlight after winning the ‘Golden Boot’ award at the 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Championship, in Mexico’s triumphant campaign. With the senior men’s national team, he won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009 and 2015, and the CONCACAF Cup in 2015. At the club level, he won the Supporters’ Shield with Los Angeles FC in 2019. The same year, he also won the ‘Golden Boot’ award and was named the ‘MVP’ (Most Valuable Player) in the 2019 season of MLS (Major League Soccer).

Born Name

Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido

Nick Name

Bomber, Hyena

Sun Sign

Pisces

Born Place

Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Residence

Los Angeles, California, United States

Nationality

Occupation

Professional Soccer Player

Family

• Father – Enrique Vela (Former Semi-Pro Soccer Player, Iron Welder)
• Mother – Manuela “Nella” Garrido
• Siblings – Alejandro Vela (Older Brother) (Professional Soccer Player)
• Others – Ivan Garrido Thompson (Maternal Grandfather) (d. 2018)

Shirt Number

• 11 – Mexico
• 9 – UD Salamanca
• 21 – CA Osasuna
• 11, 12 – Arsenal FC
• 18 – West Bromwich Albion
• 11, 23 – Real Sociedad
• 10 – Los Angeles FC

Playing Position

Forward, Winger

Build

Athletic

Height

5 ft 10 in or 178 cm

Weight

74 kg or 163 lbs

Girlfriend / Spouse

Carlos has dated –

1. Shanik Aspe
2. Altair Jarabo (2010)
3. Saioa Cañibano (2014-Present) – Carlos had first met Spanish journalist Saioa Cañibano while he was playing for the La Liga club Real Sociedad and the two began dating soon after. The couple has a son together named Romeo (b. November 2016) and they eventually got married in April 2018.

Race / Ethnicity

Hispanic

He is of Mexican descent.

Hair Color

Dark Brown

Eye Color

Hazel

Sexual Orientation

Straight

Distinctive Features

• Toned physique
• Often sports a trimmed beard
• Side-cropped, spiked hair
• Has his son’s name tattooed on his left wrist

Carlos Vela Facts

1. During his schooldays, Carlos used to play both basketball and soccer. However, when he was 12, his father impressed upon him the importance of focusing on a single sport and he chose soccer.
2. At the 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Championship, he had scored the opening goal in Mexico’s 3-0 win over Brazil in the final. He had also netted a goal in the 109th minute (extra-time) against Costa Rica in the quarterfinal which sealed the game 3-1 in Mexico’s favor after the match had been stuck in a 1-1 deadlock in regular time.
3. For his performances with the Spanish club Real Sociedad, he was named the club’s ‘Player of the Year’ in both the 2011–12 and the 2013–14 seasons.
4. In 2019, he scored 34 goals in the MLS which set a new league record for ‘most goals in a season’. He was named in the MLS ‘All-Star’ team and the ‘MLS Best XI’ in both 2018 and 2019.
5. He was featured on the cover of the North American edition of the FIFA 11 video game and later on the cover of the FIFA 20 MVP edition.

Featured Image by Carlos Vela / Instagram