Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 7y

Carlos Vela delighted to be back in the Mexico setup : 'I feel happy'

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico forward Carlos Vela appeared in front of the Mexican press on Wednesday for the first time since returning to the national team in 2014.

"I'm enjoying it and before I didn't," bluntly stated Vela of his current status with El Tri. "With these people I feel happy and that I can demonstrate what I really am."

Vela's surprise appearance ahead of Thursday's CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against Honduras was the focus of attention for the media packed into Mexico's training center and the 28-year-old Real Sociedad started off by saying: "It's been a while..."

The left-footed former Arsenal player refused to attend Mexico camps between March 2011 and November 2014, but has hit form of late for El Tri, something he attributes to his newfound maturity on and off the field.

"Time and years are what make you mature," said Vela. "Living through the good and bad moments, the adversities. You learn from everything and I've found balance.

"Having a family, playing for many years in Europe and the national team made me value what I did here and when I was ready to contribute, I said I was ready.

"From there I started the bill from zero."

Vela was left out of the Copa America Centenario squad last summer, despite him later saying he had been available, but the Cancun native was keen to avoid talk of his years of not showing up and the past in general.

"What happened, happened," said Vela. "We live in the present and we want the result [against Honduras] because we are in the Azteca, we are Mexico and we want to win.

"There is a lot of confidence amongst the teammates."

The Real Sociedad player also talked a little about his club career, indicating he wouldn't be opposed to a move back to first club Chivas, should the right circumstances present themselves.

"No one has called me at any moment," said Vela of the rumor linking him with the Liga MX champions.

"And of course I'd like to return because that's where I came from and at the right moment we'll see if it is the best opportunity for me or not."

Vela and Mexico follow up the Honduras game with the qualifier against the United States on Sunday, before jetting off to Russia straight after the match.

Mexico is currently top of the Hexagonal group on 10 points from four games.

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