Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 9y

Carlos Vela unsure of his role with Mexico this summer

Real Sociedad forward Carlos Vela is still unsure whether he will be involved for the Mexican national team at the Gold Cup or Copa America this summer, but he wants to win in whichever he'll participate.

"One plays for Mexico aiming to be champion, I want to contribute," Vela told ESPN Deportes in an exclusive interview. "The decision about which [cup] I will go to depends on what the coach has in mind."

El Tri begins its busy summer on June 12 against Bolivia at the Copa America in Chile and kicks off its Gold Cup campaign on July 9 against Cuba in the United States. Herrera has stated his priority is the Gold Cup because winning it would lead to a playoff against the United States for a place at the 2017 Confederation Cup in Russia.

Before a final decision is made ahead of the Copa America squad announcement on May 11, however, Vela is adamant that his immediate concern is getting back to full fitness. The 26-year-old has only recently returned to playing following a torn meniscus in his right knee in January and came off the bench in his team's 1-0 loss to Elche on Monday.

"Right now, what I want is to get my knee better," he said. "I've still got problems, I've not recovered 100 percent."

Vela's last start at club level came back on Jan. 31 against Real Madrid, when he was forced off with the injury. Despite that, Mexico coach Miguel Herrera remains delighted that Vela is back playing for El Tri, following a self-imposed exile lasting over three years.

"He returned [to the national team] with two goals, we won in Holland," Herrera told reporters in Madrid on Monday. "Now we'll wait for him to 100 percent recover to see which tournament he goes to. He was very happy, very at ease with the group. We have good communication."

Herrera is currently in Europe visiting Mexican players and their clubs to decide which will go to the Copa America and which will play in the Gold Cup.

^ Back to Top ^