Carlos Vela won’t play again for Mexico National Team but this player will replace him and FC Barcelona wants him

It’s no lie to say that Carlos Vela is one of the best active players that Mexico currently has, as he doesn’t get tired of scoring and has been a vital piece in the short history of Los Angeles FC, team he’s played since they were established five years ago.

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But it’s no lie either that even with his current performances, he’s not close to returning to the Mexican national squad, whether it’s because Gerardo “Tata” Martino doesn’t like him, Yon de Luisa has vetoed him from being a problematic player in the locker room or simply because he doesn’t want to play for El Tri anymore.

The last time he played for the Aztec squad was in the round of 16 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where Mexico National Team was eliminated after a 2-0 defeat against Brazil. Since then, Gerardo Martino has completely erased him from the roster.

And if that wasn’t enough, Vela himself announced his retirement during an interview with ESPN over a month ago, closing any doors to an eventual return. But his confirmed absence also has a bright side, as El Tri followers can now focus on the player that could replace him.

FC Barcelona, interested in him

Since Xavi Hernández arrived in his former club FC Barcelona to assume the coaching position, he’s been building a team full of young promising players that will complete their formation in the Blaugrana squad and play together for the next several years.

That’s why he already showed interest in Marcelo Flores, the 18-year-old English-Mexican-Canadian offensive midfielder who has yet to debut with Arsenal senior squad, although he’s impressed with his performances with the U-23 team.

Even at his young age, Flores could perfectly fulfill the role that Carlos Vela should have in El Tri, as he usually becomes the best man on the field and is involved in the score sheet one way or another, whether it is with Arsenal U-23 or El Tri U-20.

Will Martino consider him for Qatar?

It’s yet to be seen if Martino gives him a chance to prove himself with the senior squad, given that he has called him only one time for a friendly match, where he played for less than 10 minutes. But if Flores manages to establish as a regular player in Mikel Arteta’s squad, he’ll have a reserved spot in the final roster of El Tri.

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