Ex-Arsenal star Carlos Vela’s Malibu home destroyed in LA wildfires as his stunned wife shares emotional message
FORMER Premier League ace Carlos Vela has lost his Malibu home in the Los Angeles wildfires.
The Mexican forward’s wife Saioa Canibano confirmed the pair’s family pad had perished in the unfolding disaster.
Vela, 35, has spent the last six seasons in the MLS with Los Angeles FC.
He began his career with Arsenal in the Premier League and was also a prolific scorer in Spain.
The Mexican international owned a home in the Palisades neighborhood of LA.
Wildfires have swept through the area, destroying an estimated 10,000 structures.
So far, authorities have confirmed ten deaths but it is feared the toll could be much higher.
More than 180,000 residents have been forced to flee – with a further 200,000 warned they may need to quickly evacuate.
Vela’s house was among those razed to the ground by the intense flames.
“Our beautiful Malibu home burned down yesterday,” Saioa confirmed on Instagram.
“We are still in shock with everything that’s happening.
“It’s very sad and scary to see everything burning. To all the messages of concern that are being sent to us, we are safe.
“Sending much love to all those affected and hopefully they will soon manage to put out the fire.”
The former journalist has two children with Vela – son Romeo, 8, and daughter India, 4.
All of the family were confirmed to be safe following the disaster.
Vela wasn’t the only LA soccer star to lose their home to the flames this week.
Angel City FC defender Ali Riley confirmed her home had been destroyed by the fires.
“This was our home. How is this real. It can’t be real,” she wrote on Instagram.
Vela is an LAFC legend having helped the team to the MLS Cup in 2022.
He also won the MLS Golden Boot and MVP in 2019 and has netted 93 times in 187 games for the club.
'War zone' LA feels 'broken' as fires still ravage the city - but we will rebuild
EVERY year Los Angeles braces itself for wildfires. It is not uncommon to see flames torching the hills and even houses burning to the ground.
But many residents have never witnessed anything as devastating as this week. And it’s nowhere near over.
I spent time near Pacific Palisades, where thick smoke filled the air, and saw desperate families fleeing the city while others begged police to give them access to their properties as roads were blocked off.
“Everything is gone” was heard many times, as thousands of people were left homeless and with few possessions.
I was lucky to only have the power go out in my home, but I’ll never forget what I witnessed traveling throughout the city.
It was like a war zone.
During a visit to a shelter, I spoke with a resident who has lived in his home for almost 30 years and is battling cancer. He stayed long after he was told to pack up and go.
It was only when flames began leaping around his building that he finally gathered his belongings and ran out.
I reported from Altadena, where buildings were still engulfed in flames, and few fire trucks were in sight as emergency services were overwhelmed.
Cars and school buses were completely torched, and heartbroken families stood around in shock, not being able to process what had happened.
As the sun went down, I drove back home towards the city center, which I felt was safe, until I saw orange flames leaping behind buildings just minutes from my house.
I felt sick. I’ve never known wildfires so close to Hollywood, and suddenly, phones were blaring with emergency notifications to evacuate the area.
Traffic lights and street lamps were out, and areas filled with fallen trees from the strong winds became gridlocked.
I feel extremely lucky I live minutes outside of the evacuation zone, but friends panicked and fled their homes.
Although many worldwide will merely shrug when they hear wealthy people have lost their homes, the reality is very different.
The city as a whole feels broken, everyone from single mothers to elderly people have been through hell.
And people are angry.
Dozens have spoken of their insurance policies being canceled just months before the fires, while others are reeling over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
They may be angry. But they are also hopeful. The people of Los Angeles are made of strong stuff.
We will get through this. And we will rebuild.
Vela initially left LAFC after the 2023 season before rejoining them in late 2024.
In November, LAFC declined an option for Vela’s contract in 2025.
But the parties remain in discussions over the player’s future.