Vela's Back Where He Belongs: LAFC Legend Snaps Up Ownership Stake!
Carlos Vela, LAFC's legendary forward and club icon, has joined the ownership group after retiring last year. The Mexican star, who won MLS MVP, Supporters' Shields, and the 2022 MLS Cup with the Black and Gold, called the club 'home' in his statement. Club leaders praised his enduring impact as they eye future successes.
Vela's Back Where He Belongs: LAFC Legend Snaps Up Ownership Stake!
Imagine hanging up your boots after conquering MLS, only to swan back in as part-owner of the club you adore. That's exactly what Carlos Vela has done with LAFC, turning heads across the pond this week. The Mexican maestro, who retired just last year, is now officially in the ownership group – a fitting encore to one of the Black and Gold's greatest chapters.
As reported by SI Soccer, LAFC dropped the bombshell on Wednesday, confirming Vela's new role. It's the kind of news that has supporters raising a pint already, blending nostalgia with ambition.
From Designated Player to Ownership Bigwig
Vela wasn't just any signing; he was LAFC's first-ever Designated Player back in 2018, the spark that ignited their meteoric rise. Fresh from legend status at Real Sociedad in La Liga, the forward hit Los Angeles like a freight train, smashing records and hearts alike.
His standout season? 2019, when he bagged a whopping 34 goals to clinch MLS MVP – a tally that still stands as the league benchmark. Under his captaincy, LAFC scooped Supporters' Shields in 2019 and 2022, then lifted their maiden MLS Cup that same year. Five years in, and they'd scaled the summit of American football. No wonder fans call him the club's soul.
After a brief hiatus, Vela returned for one last hurrah in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, bowing out on his terms. Post-retirement, he dipped into ambassadorship before this ownership leap. Talk about unfinished business – or rather, eternal love.
Rave Reviews and 'Home' Vibes
The LAFC brass couldn't hide their glee. Lead Managing Owner Bennett Rosenthal hailed Vela as the embodiment of the club's drive: excellence, ambition, leadership. "He's a legend on the pitch and now key to our future," Rosenthal beamed.
General Manager John Thorrington piled on: without Vela, LAFC wouldn't be the beast it is today. He shaped their swaggering style, their bond with LA's vibrant scene – from day dot.
And Vela himself? Pure poetry. "LAFC is more than a club; it's home," he shared. The pride in building something special for the city shone through, and now as an owner, he's geared up to back the players and fans in chasing greater glories. It's like he's never left the dressing room.
Legacy Locked In, Future Fired Up
Eight years on from his arrival, Vela's imprint is indelible. He turned a fledgling outfit into an MLS powerhouse, a North American heavyweight. That 2022 MLS Cup triumph? His fingerprints all over it, leading the charge with flair and fire.
Now, with skin in the game – literally – expect Vela to push boundaries off the pitch. LAFC's already plotting bigger things; imagine the Black and Gold dominating CONCACAF or beyond, with their talisman calling shots from the boardroom.
For fans, it's Christmas come early. Vela's not just a retiree cashing in; he's recommitting to the dream he helped forge. In a league full of flash, this feels like proper football romance. Cheers to more chapters, Carlos – LAFC's saga just got juicier.
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