“I fought head to head against Ibrahimovic and I won all the individual titles” - Carlos Vela
The Mexican international is entering his senior year in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles FC and he admits that Zlatan brought his best version out.
Carlos Vela and Zlatan Ibrahimovic created one of the most entertaining rivalries in Major League Soccer between 2018 and 2019. Everytime Los Angeles FC and the LA Galaxy face each other, both players always put on a show by scoring goals or giving assists.
Carlos Vela is entering his fourth year with LAFC and last season was the first time he didn’t face Ibrahimovic in MLS and he admitted to missing the rivalry with the Swedish striker. LAFC started their preseason earlier this month and will have their home opener against Austin FC on 17 April at the Banc of California stadium.
“Zlatan brought the best out of me”
“I think that in the end it is good to play against world class players because it brings the best out of you, well it did in my case. I was fortunate to face Zlatan two seasons here in MLS, fighting head to head and at the end I won all the individual titles. This year I have to look for new objectives and rivals,” said Carlos Vela during an interview with ESPN during the 2021 Media Day.
In 2019 Carlos Vela had one of his best years in his career because he broke all the individual records in the history of Major League Soccer. The captain of LAFC scored 34 goals during the regular season and had 15 assists. That year he won the Golden Boot and the 2019 Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player.