Former Mexican national team forward Carlos Vela, who played for Los Angeles FC, has lost his family’s home to the Palisades Fire, his wife Saioa Cañibano announced on social media on Thursday. Earlier that day, Ali Riley, who currently plays for the NWSL’s Angel City FC, made a similar announcement.
“Our beautiful Malibu home burned down yesterday,” Cañibano wrote in Spanish in an Instagram story. “We are still in shock with everything that’s happening.”
The fires, which began earlier this week and are not yet contained, cover tens of thousands of acres and have destroyed more than 5,000 structures as of Thursday. Officials have confirmed five deaths from the fires, but have said they think that number could rise.
Vela, now 35, arrived in Los Angeles in 2018 and played five seasons for LAFC, winning two MLS Cups and a pair of Supporters’ Shield awards as well. Among the most dominant attackers in MLS history, he briefly departed the club in 2024 but returned late in the season. LAFC declined to bring him back in 2025.
“It’s very sad and scary to see everything burning,” continued Cañibano. “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…
