Tom Penn assured that Carlos Vela is the Messi of LAFC.

Tom Penn, Co-owner of Los Angeles Football Club, spoke with MLSsoccer.com and talked about the importance of Carlos Vela at the Club in his first season in the MLS and what they expect from the Mexican for the next tournament.

"We love Carlos, he's our Messi, the face of our club, he is at his best. I hope other global clubs are interested in him because there aren't many players on the planet as good as him. It's really a world class player".

In his first season Vela scored 14 goals and gave 13 assists in 28 games with the black and gold shirt, being key for the club to achieve the best regular season of an expansion team; but unfortunately they couldn't bring that energy to the postseason where they were left out in the knockout round against Real Salt Lake.

Thanks to the great performances of the Mexican striker, Barcelona contemplated taking him to reinforce their attack. But in the end, the transfer didn't happen. Penn is grateful Vela stays with them but knows that thanks to the rumors the LAFC name is known around the world.

Before ending with the Carlos Vela topic, Penn mentioned that the player is happy in Los Angeles, so the board will try to keep him as long as possible. "He is really happy here and we are delighted to have him here."

In LAFC expect the Mexican to maintain the level he had in the first season since one of the ideas of the managers is to improve what was done then. They hope to continue being a goal-scoring team and go further in the Playoffs, something they hope will be given by Vela.