Carlos VillaThe first player he signed LAFC The club’s record holder is still in the goals, assistance, games and minutes that played, announced his retirement on Tuesday. The team said in an announcement that Villa would work with LAFC as the first black and gold ambassador. It will also be honored at Carlos Vela Night at BMO on September 21.
Villa, 36, said in a statement issued by the team. “This club means a lot for me and my family, and I am proud of everything we accomplished with the great fans in Los Angeles. I am excited to start this next chapter on my journey here in Los Angeles.”
Villa signed a specific player’s contract With LAFC in August 2017, eight months before the team’s first match. He led LAFC to the qualifiers in its first season, then set the record to study the goals in MLS with 34 in 2019, when the team won the first two shields of the supporters. The MVP Villa was named in the league that season.
Vela played four times in MLS, in two teams in the MLS Cup and LAFC’s final appearance in the MLS qualifiers last November, where he got out of the bench to play four minutes against Vancouver Witzab.
With 78 goals and 59 assists is one of only 13 players in the history of MLS to score at least 75 goals and 50 assists and is the only player who reaches those monuments in six seasons.
“From the beginning, Carlos was more than just a player – he was the heartbeat, the captain and the face of LAFC,” said LAFC Copresiedent and General Manager John Thorrington. “Carlos arrived in Los Angeles with a common vision to build something really special, and this promise has made in every way.
“Carlos helped make LAFC what it is today.”
Villa entered the Chivas De Guadalajara Academy in 13 before moving to Arsenal from the Premier League. He also played in England with West Bromwich Albion and Spain with Salamanca and Osasuna before he made more than 200 games in all competition for real Sociedad from 2011 to 2017, where he scored 72 times.
He played 72 times with the Mexico national team, including in the World Cup, and scored 19 times.
