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A legend from both FC Barcelona and Arsenal is making his way to Major League Soccer, as Alexis Sánchez signed a contract through the 2027 MLS sprint season with Canadian club CF Montréal on Tuesday, becoming the franchise's biggest signing since Didier Drogba.
The agreement also carries an option for the 2027–28 MLS full-length season, the first under the league's new calendar structure, which is aligned with Europe's premier competitions.
Speculation about Sánchez's arrival surfaced on Monday after the club shared a teaser video on social media hinting at a new No. 10, with the name "Alexis" mentioned at the clip's conclusion by Luca Saputo, the managing director of recruitment and sporting methodology. The signing was confirmed less than 24 hours later, placing the Chilean icon in Montréal's black and blue colors in MLS's only French-speaking market.
The forward, who has operated more as an attacking midfielder in recent years, will hold Designated Player status at Montréal and arrives during a headline-grabbing summer that has also seen Orlando City sign Antoine Griezmann and Chicago Fire bring in Robert Lewandowski.
The 37-year-old Sánchez had a remarkably decorated European career, representing Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United and Inter Milan, among other clubs, while also shining internationally with Chile. He claimed two Copa América titles and remains his nation's all-time top scorer with 51 goals.
Across 788 professional appearances, he has accumulated 215 goals and 154 assists, winning trophies with Barcelona, Inter Milan, Colo Colo and Arsenal. However, his output declined last season in La Liga with Sevilla, where he managed just four goals in 28 appearances. He now turns to MLS in hopes of reigniting his career.
"I'm thrilled to be joining CF Montréal and embracing this new challenge," Sánchez said. "I'm thankful to the Club for the belief they've placed in me, and I'm excited to bring my experience to bear so we can achieve our goals and create unforgettable moments for our fans. I'm here to give everything for this club and this city."
Alexis Sánchez's MLS Contract Details
At 37, Sánchez ranks among the oldest Designated Players in MLS, joining the company of Lewandowski and Vancouver Whitecaps star Thomas Müller, both of whom are the same age. Lionel Messi is approximately two years their senior at 39.
He becomes Montréal's sole Designated Player, a designation meaning his "total compensation and acquisition costs exceed the Maximum Salary Budget Charge." He will earn upwards of $803,125 per year for the duration of the deal, which extends beyond his 38th birthday.
MLS clubs are permitted up to three DP roster spots, but Montréal had none remaining after parting ways with Iván Jaime just 12 games into the current season.
Can Montréal's Newest Star Save Them?
Sánchez joins one of the most fervent soccer cities in North America and a storied list of stars who have represented the club formerly known as the Montréal Impact.
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While the team hasn't boasted a marquee name since former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama in 2023 and 2024, the club has previously welcomed the likes of Drogba, Alessandro Nesta, Ignacio Piatti and Marco Di Vaio, among others.
Sánchez faces a significant challenge, as the club aims to return to the postseason for the first time since 2022. Montréal currently sit 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference, seven points adrift of the final MLS Cup playoff position.
While lifting the MLS Cup seems an ambitious target, manager Philippe Eullaffroy's side can realistically set their sights on a Canadian Championship run, as they prepare for a two-leg semifinal against Müller's Whitecaps. The winner will face either the Canadian Premier League's Forge FC, FC Supra de Quèbec, or Atlético Ottawa in the final, with a Concacaf Champions Cup berth on the line.