Alexis Sanchez's New Chapter in Montreal: MLS Comeback
Alexis Sanchez has spent the last few years living out of a suitcase. Since that ill-fated move to Old Trafford in January 2018, his career has been a blur of new cities, new leagues, and fleeting flashes of the old magic.
Manchester United came and went quickly – just 45 appearances before he was shipped to Inter, first on loan and then permanently. A productive spell at Marseille, a return to Udinese, another stop in Milan and, most recently, a season in Spain with Sevilla. One standout: those 18 goals in France. Beyond that, the numbers have thinned out for a forward who once terrorised defences for fun.
Now, at 37, he starts again. This time in Canada, with Montreal, and with the hope that the twilight of his career still has some glow left in it.
Sagna’s cold warning – and warm backing
Bacary Sagna knows exactly what awaits him. The former France international, who finished his own career in MLS with Montreal after spells at Manchester City and Benevento, believes the league is about to see the real Alexis again – once he gets over the shock of the weather.
“He will need to adapt to the cold first! Trust me, it's cold,” Sagna told GOAL, speaking on behalf of BetVictor Online Casino. “But Alexis Sanchez is a top player. I had some feedback already and people were impressed at his first session, they could see the difference of quality, they could see why he is Alexis Sanchez.”
That first impression matters. Players at 37 are usually judged on what they were, not what they are. Sagna is convinced there is still a player of serious influence in there.
“I think it's very important for him to just enjoy football again and to show why he's been performing for Arsenal, why he's been in the top 20 best players in the world at some point. MLS will notice this soon because he's a top player and I'm pleased to see him playing for Montreal and hopefully he will have a great impact.”
Sanchez has signed a two-year deal with Montreal, joining in August 2026. It’s not a farewell tour contract. It gives him time – to settle, to adapt, to matter again.
Montreal, not Miami – and why that suits Alexis
The MLS dream, for many, wears neon. New York. Miami. Los Angeles. Montreal is different. Quieter, more layered, less obviously glamorous. Sagna insists that’s exactly the point.
“The lifestyle is very good. I think the ecosystem is made for a great family life. It's an amazing country,” he said of his own Canadian chapter.
“I lived there for three years. It's a well-balanced country, you have the seasons and people live well. I was in Montreal, beautiful city. It's a European aspect with U.S. infrastructure.”
It’s not just postcard talk. Sagna leans into the details – the kind that matter when a player is choosing where to spend the last meaningful years of his career.
“Even winter, I mean I love the sun but I enjoyed winter there because I could go walking for two hours on the snow in the park with a hot chocolate and it grounded you. I think not many places are like that today in the world we live in today.”
“It’s amongst the best places to live - Montreal was in the top five of the best places to live in the world at some point. It’s fun, the vibe is good, people are happy and it's a nice country. Also, people speak both languages, French and English, and you have a big Spanish community being in North America also.”
For a South American star at the tail end of a global career, that blend of languages, cultures and calm might be as important as any tactical role or formation.
Chasing Messi’s MLS standard
The bar for ageing superstars in North America has been reset. Lionel Messi has done that almost single-handedly.
Sanchez has had a front-row view of what is now expected. The Chilean recently watched his former Barcelona team-mate tear through Canadian opposition at Nu Stadium, with the 39-year-old Argentine scoring four of Inter Miami’s seven goals in a crushing win.
That is the benchmark. Not just turning up, but taking over.
Montreal are betting that Alexis, given two years and a city that might finally let him breathe, can tap back into the version of himself that once ranked among the world’s best. The nomad has another new home.
Now comes the question that will define the final chapter of his career: is there one last great act left in Alexis Sanchez?
