Mexico National Team already find Carlos Vela’s replacement; he signed with FC Barcelona

Although Carlos Vela hasn’t played with Mexico National Team since they were eliminated by Brazil by a 2-0 score in the round of 16 of Russia 2018, he’s still one of the best Mexican active players, and no one understands why Gerardo “Tata” Martino erased him from El Tri.

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He even announced his retirement from El Tri a couple weeks ago, but after his performance with Los Angeles FC in their opening match of the 2022 MLS Season against Colorado Rapids, where Vela scored a hat-trick, there’s still people asking for his return to the Aztec squad.

And his absence shouldn’t be that notorious, except that what El Tri has lacked the most is a striker that can actually score, as Rogelio Funes Mori has proven to be ineffective for a while and Henry Martín hasn’t been able to prove why “Tata” Martino keeps considering him.

But for Vela the decision is taken, and he won’t be playing again wearing El Tri colors. Although his decision of closing the door to the Aztec squad might have open a possibility for a younger player that has been part of FC Barcelona academy for a while.

Who is the Mexican playing with Barcelona academy teams?

Samuel Mendoza is a 17-year-old, born in 2004 that holds both Mexican and American citizenships, as he was born in Arizona on a Mexican household. He joined one of FC Barcelona academies that the Blaugranas have throughout the world to attract young talents that can later debut with the first team.

Samuel was one of those young talents, as FC Barcelona invited him to train for a week in La Masía, to be closer to the next soccer starts and to see how well he fitted with the Blaugranas structure. Although he impressed the coaches in Spain, FIFA regulations for the signing of younger foreigner players prevented him from staying in Barcelona, although he’s still training in Phoenix.

Can he play for Mexico National Team?

Mendoza is waiting to turn 18 to have another opportunity to return to La Masía, but this time to stay. Until that happens, he’s preparing with his current club, and even has been considered to be part of both US Soccer academy and El Tri, as he’s played with both U-15 squads, although he’d rather play with Mexico National Team.

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