Carlos Vela won’t play again for Mexico National Team but this striker is ready to replace him

A few weeks ago, Carlos Vela announced on an interview with ESPN that he won’t play again for Mexico National Team as he feels that his time to be part of El Tri already passed and now it’s on the shoulders of the new generations to make the Aztec squad play a quarterfinal in the World Cup.

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But even after he already clarified his position, after his performance on the opening game of Los Angeles FC in the 2022 MLS Season against Colorado Rapids, where Vela scored a hat-trick, his name is still linked to El Tri.

Since Gerardo “Tata” Martino arrived in Mexico National Team, Carlos Vela hasn’t been part of any of his callings, as “Tata” didn’t want Vela’s personality in his locker room, as he’s been labeled in the past as a problematic player.

Although no one discusses Vela’s talent and that he could easily have a spot in El Tri and no one would be able to take it from him, his absence in the Aztec squad opens the door to other players to wear Mexico colors, like a young striker that currently plays in Italy.

Who is the player that could replace Carlos Vela?

The 19-year-old Mexican forward Teun Sebastián Ángel Wilke Braams plays with the U-19 squad of Italian side SPAL 2013, that currently plays in Serie B, Italy second flight, although he started his career in the academy teams of Club Querétaro.

In 2018, Teun Wilke joined Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen, where he was part of their academy teams for three years, before making the jump to Calcio, where he’s played 16 games this season and has scored four goals and one assistance.

Can he play for Mexico National Team?

Although his parents are Dutch, Teun Wilke was born in Querétaro, which is why he holds both Dutch and Mexican citizenships. Wilke has said in the past that he would love to play for Mexico National Team as he was born in Mexican soil and is proud of it.

In the past, Wilke has been part of El Tri Academy squads, as he’s played with the U-17 and U-19 teams, although he’s yet to debut with the senior squad, something that with “Tata” Martino looks difficult, but he’ll be on the right age for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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