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Alexis Sánchez has become the newest high-profile European name to arrive in Major League Soccer, joining Canadian club CF Montréal for the rest of the 2026 campaign and through the 2027 sprint season.
Although Chile's record goalscorer (51 goals) has spent the past 18 years plying his trade in Europe—featuring for clubs such as FC Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United—MLS will pose a fresh set of challenges that he cannot afford to underestimate.
Sánchez, 37, is expected to make an immediate impression for CF Montréal in some capacity, and stepping away from Europe's elite competitions should afford him more time on the ball and a greater opportunity to influence matches. This is not the MLS of a decade ago, however, with no guarantees of strong performances from veteran players past their prime, as Colombian star James Rodríguez discovered during a disappointing six-game stint with Minnesota United earlier this season.
A Safe Bet for Both Sides
Sánchez contributed four goals and two assists for La Liga's Sevilla last season, representing a notable drop-off from his days as one of the most dynamic and influential attackers in the game. He also transitioned into a No. 10 or false No. 9 role during that period, reducing the intensity of his play. Moving to MLS is arguably his best opportunity to continue performing at a meaningful level where he can still make a real impact.
For Montréal, meanwhile, the signing carries little downside. The club is struggling, sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference, and has reached the MLS Cup playoffs just once in the past nine years. Sánchez represents the club's most recognizable signing since Didier Drogba in 2015 and brings a level of quality that could push a competitive but toothless side further up the table. And if the move doesn't pan out, the situation can hardly get much worse.
Alexis Sánchez est Montréalais 🔵⚪️⚫️
New DP in MTL 🇨🇱
El Niño Maravilla es montrealés 👊#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/qREEGAfaYm
In the best-case scenario, Sánchez can rediscover the form that saw him reach 18 goals with Marseille in 2022–23, or the 17-assist campaigns he delivered with Milan in 2019–20 and 2020–21. Should that happen, Montréal would climb out of its current position as one of the six weakest attacks in MLS.
The reality, however, is that Sánchez's greatest value may lie in serving as a leader for a Montréal squad looking to get the most out of younger, more affordable talent. Without Sánchez, Montréal's average age sits at 24.5. He will also be expected to elevate striker Prince Owusu, 29, who has netted 10 goals in 17 appearances this season.
"The signing of Alexis Sanchez is a significant milestone in our sporting project," said Luca Saputo, Montréal's managing director of recruitment and sporting methodology. "Alexis brings exceptional technical ability and experience at the very highest level of the global game.
"His character, leadership, and winning mentality are perfectly in line with our club's identity and ambitions...We firmly believe he will make an immediate impact both on the pitch and within the dressing room."
Sánchez Signing Marks Outdated MLS Roster Approach
It's Owusu, and that's essentially the extent of it. As Sánchez settles into life in Montréal, it will quickly become clear just how thin the squad is compared to other MLS clubs—including those around them in the standings. With no other Designated Players and only two U-22 Initiative players—U.S. defender Jalen Neal and Ukrainian midfielder Hennadii Synchuk—the quality surrounding Sánchez is limited.
Even Owusu, who has proven himself as a reliable scorer in MLS, has struggled to make a meaningful difference on a team that has been unable to gain traction. His record of 32 goals and 10 assists across 88 appearances for Montréal and Toronto FC combined has never translated into MLS Cup playoff contention.
Sánchez's arrival in Montréal echoes a familiar pattern from MLS's past, where an aging star was expected to be the central piece of a team's ambitions rather than a complementary addition to an already strong roster.
That's what sets Sánchez's move apart—and raises some concerns—if no further significant signings follow. It stands in stark contrast to Antoine Griezmann, who joined an underperforming Orlando City this summer alongside DPs Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić, or Chicago Fire's Robert Lewandowski, who immediately had Philip Zinckernagel and Jonathan Bamba alongside him.
Look back to last summer, and Vancouver Whitecaps' acquisition of Thomas Müller came as the finishing touch on a side already leading the MLS standings. Son Heung-min's arrival at LAFC complemented an attack already featuring Denis Bouanga.
The absence of Designated Players has been a major obstacle for Montréal in recent seasons. Sánchez offers no guarantee of success—not only due to his age and declining output in recent years, but also because of the limited support around him, making this signing feel more reminiscent of MLS in 2016 than in 2026.
How Much Will Sánchez Play for CF Montréal?
Another question surrounding Sánchez is how much time he can actually spend on the pitch in the latter stages of his career. His playing time declined toward the end of his time in Europe, and he will now contend with the varying playing surfaces and extensive travel demands that are hallmarks of MLS.
It's clear his recovery capacity is no longer what it once was, and the physical demands of MLS will pose long-term challenges. That said, he could prove to be an ideal fit for the remaining 16 matches in Montréal's 2026 season and the 14-game MLS sprint season.
Fitness will be Sánchez's primary concern in MLS, but the condensed fixture schedule may offer some relief, as will Montréal's natural grass surface during what appear to be the club's final seasons at the outdoor Stade Saputo before an anticipated move to an artificial pitch at the Stade Olympique. Ultimately, it's a gamble worth taking for both Montréal and Sánchez alike.