Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Vela and the second or maternal family name is Garrido.

Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido (born 1 March 1989 in Cancún, Quintana Roo) is a Mexican association football player, currently playing as a striker for Real Sociedad . 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, finally joining Real Sociedad permanently on 10 August 2012.

Aside from his Mexican nationality, Vela also holds a Spanish passport.