Mexico forward Carlos vela says he is “not mentally and emotionally” ready to play in next summer’s World Cup and has told the Mexican FA to exempt him from the tournament in Brazil.
Vela’s decision not to take part in the 2014 Brazil World Cup was revealed in a statement on the Mexican federation’s website.
Mexican national team coach Miguel Herrera, national team director Hector Gonzalez Inarritu and other federation officials met with the former Arsenal player in Madrid to discuss his availability.
The 24-year-old, who has scored nine goals in 35 international appearances, has not featured for the El Tricolor since 2011.
His relationship with the team was fractured in 2010. In September of that year, he was suspended for six months after allegation he and teammate Efrain Juarez held a party at the team hotel.
After completing the suspension, the Real Sociedad striker announced he would refuse to participate at the 2011 Concacaf Gold Cup, and also said he did not want to be selected for the 2012 Olympics tournament, which the North American nation won.
Mexico will begin their World Cup Group A campaign against Cameroon on June 13.
