Carlos Vela speaks about his Mexico career

Carlos Vela speaks about his Mexico career
Real Sociedad forward Carlos Vela took to the Mexican press for the first time since his return to international football with Mexico in 2014.

The left-footed attacker had refused to attend the national camps between 2011 and 2014 as he felt he was not fully prepared to represent his nation as he was making a new career in the Spanish La Liga.Vela told El Tri: "I'm enjoying it and before I didn't. With these people I feel happy and that I can demonstrate what I really am. Living through the good and bad moments, the adversities. You learn from everything and I've found balance.”

Despite his return, Vela was surprisingly excluded out of the Copa America Centenario squad last summer, but he refused to comment on the decision as he looks forward to a new era in Mexican football. The 28-year-old has been in rich vein of form with two goals in five outings for Mexico this year, and he will look to continue his best form in the Confederations Cup where Mexico take on Russia in their third game of the group.

Mexico are currently on four points in the competition, and a positive result in terms of a draw or win versus Russia could see them through to the semi-final ahead of the hosts. Portugal look in pole position to win the other game against New Zealand, and Mexico cannot risk losing against Russia in a day’s time.

Vela has managed to transform himself into a more than capable goalscorer in his time at Real Sociedad, and there are suggestions of him being a candidate to take over the captain’s armband once Rafael Marquez calls time on his international career. As of now, Mexico are in pole position to clinch a spot in next year’s World Cup, and Vela could be influential towards their chances of progressing further in the showpiece tournament.