Carlos Vela will not play in the World Cup for Mexico, the Real Sociedad superstar confirmed on Monday.
According to reports, numerous members of the Mexican soccer federation, including coach Miguel Herrera, met with the 24-year-old to determine his status with the team.
"I am not seeing the commitment that we need, nor the desire and we have practically discarded him from the process," Herrera said, according to ESPN. "He doesn't feel prepared for the process. Now that we have qualified, he doesn't think he deserves to be there and I need players who can make a 100 percent commitment."
Vela actually wrote an open letter in which he confessed his reasoning for turning down a spot on the team.
"Only 23 players will go to Brazil. Most of these 23 have lived, enjoyed and suffered through the qualifying and it would not be fair on my part that one of them should be left off to make a space for me," Vela wrote. "Now Mexico is among the top 32 teams in the world. Let's not get distracted by the negatives. Let's simply dedicate ourselves to supporting El Tri with all of our enthusiasm.
"I want to thank all those who have come to visit and talk to me," he said. "But this moment belongs to those who Miguel [Herrera] has called on."
Vela has not played for Mexico since March 29, 2011. He has scored nine goals and eight assists for Real Sociedad in the Spanish league this season.
Mexico's qualifying campaign was a rather trying experience. The team finished fourth in the hexagon stage and was nearly eliminated from qualifying altogether. The fourth spot pushed the team into a playoff against New Zealand. Herrera was brought in to salvage the qualifying campaign and responded with two big wins at home and in Wellington.
Mexico is part of Group A in the World Cup this summer. The team will open its tournament against Cameroon but will also take on host nation Brazil and Croatia. Many expect Brazil to win the group, but the second spot seems wide open with both Mexico and Croatia looked upon as the favorites to move forward into the second round.
Did Vela make the right decision by rejecting Mexico? Will the team miss his scoring prowess?