Manuel Alejandro Vela Garrido (born 28 March 1984) is a Mexican former professional footballer.
![]() Vela with Cruz Azul | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Manuel Alejandro Vela Garrido[1] | ||
Date of birth | (1984-03-28) 28 March 1984 (age 38) | ||
Place of birth | Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico | ||
Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder/Winger | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2003–2006 | Guadalajara | 42 | (3) |
2006–2008 | Chiapas | 63 | (11) |
2008–2015 | Cruz Azul[2] | 136 | (12) |
2013–2014 | → Atlante (loan) | 31 | (1) |
2015 | → Minnesota United (loan) | 9 | (0) |
2016 | → Necaxa (loan) | 16 | (0) |
2017–2020 | Venados | 48 | (0) |
Total | 345 | (27) | |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
He made his debut on 14 August 2004, for Chivas against Atlante.[3] He played for fellow Liga MX team Chipas from 2006 to 2008 before moving to Cruz Azul where he would enjoy the most personal and club success, scoring 30 goals across all competitions and appearing the FIFA Club World Cup, the CONCACAF Champions League and the Copa Libertadores.[4][5] Between 2015 and 2017 he moved between several clubs including Minnesota United of the North American Soccer League.[5] In 2017 he signed with Mexican second division club Venados and played with them until his retirement in July 2020.[4]
His younger brother, Carlos Vela, is also a professional footballer who currently plays for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, and previously for Real Sociedad and Arsenal.[6]
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