Chilean star Alexis Sánchez joins MLS club CF Montreal

Veteran Chilean striker Alexis Sánchez, his country's all-time leading scorer, has arrived in Major League Soccer, signing with Canadian club CF Montreal. The 37-year-old forward joins the league as a free agent after his contract with Spanish club Sevilla concluded.

Sánchez committed to CF Montreal for the remainder of the 2026 season and the shortened 2027 campaign, with the club holding an option for the 2027-2028 season. This move marks the end of his nearly two-decade European career, during which he played for notable clubs including Udinese, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Olympique de Marseille. His trophy cabinet includes a Spanish league title with Barcelona and two Italian league titles with Inter Milan.

As a national team player, Sánchez has achieved significant success, winning the Copa América in 2015 and 2016. He also holds the records for most appearances (168) and goals scored (51) for the Chilean national team. His arrival in MLS follows that of other prominent European players like Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann, all aiming to challenge Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

CF Montreal, however, faces a challenging season. The team has never reached an MLS final and is currently second to last in the Eastern Conference standings. The club also failed to qualify for the Leagues Cup. Sánchez's signing represents a major boost for the franchise, which last acquired a star player of similar caliber during Didier Drogba's brief tenure from 2015-2016.

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I am very happy to join CF Montreal and take on this new challenge. I thank the club for the confidence they have placed in me and I am eager to put my experience at the service of the team so that we can achieve our goals and create unforgettable moments for our fans.