¡Bombazo! Alexis Sánchez huye de Europa tras 18 años y ficha por el Montreal de la MLS
Alexis Sánchez Starts a New Chapter: The Chilean Legend Joins Montreal in the MLS
The Big News: A Legend Moves to North America
After 18 straight years playing in Europe, Chilean superstar Alexis Sánchez has decided to try something completely new. At 37 years old, "El Niño Maravilla" (The Wonder Kid) has signed a two-year contract with CF Montréal in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Important Point: This isn’t just any signing. Sánchez is Chile’s all-time leading goal scorer and one of the most decorated players in Chilean history. He recently became a dad to a baby girl named Bela, making this move a family adventure too!
Why Did He Leave Europe?
The Long Goodbye
- 18 seasons in a row across Europe’s top leagues
- Played for 7 massive clubs: Udinese, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, Marseille, Inter Milan, and Sevilla
- Won 16 major trophies along the way
The Sevilla Situation
Last season, Sánchez fought hard to help Sevilla avoid relegation (dropping to the second division) in Spain. They succeeded! The club offered him one more year, but Alexis said "no thanks." After weeks of thinking it over—both professionally and personally—he chose a fresh start in North America.
What Is the MLS Anyway? (ELI5 Explanation)
Think of the MLS like this: It’s the top soccer league for the USA and Canada combined.
- Founded: 1996 (so it’s younger than European leagues)
- Structure: No promotion/relegation (teams stay in the league no matter what)
- Growing fast: Big money, new stadiums, and global superstars are arriving every year
Who Else Is Playing There Now?
| The league has become a magnet for legends: | Superstar | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | |
| Luis Suárez | Inter Miami | |
| Heung-min Son | LAFC | |
| Thomas Müller | Vancouver Whitecaps | |
| Robert Lewandowski | Chicago Fire (signed for this season) | |
| Casemiro | Inter Miami (signed for this season) | |
| Antoine Griezmann | Orlando City (signed for this season) |
Meet the Team: CF Montréal
Quick Facts
- Founded: 2010 (joined MLS in 2012)
- Owners: The Saputo family
- Stadium: Stade Saputo (Quebec, Canada)
- Conference: Eastern Conference
- Name Change: Became Club de Foot Montréal in 2021
- Trophy Cabinet: Canadian Championship winners
A Chilean Connection Already Exists!
Montréal has history with Chilean players:
- Jeisson Vargas played there in 2016 (transferred from Universidad Católica for $2.8M)
- He remains the second-most expensive signing in club history!
Alexis’s New Teammates: A Chilean Mini-Colony
Sánchez won’t be the only Chilean in the league. He’s joining a growing group:
- Thomas Gillier (Goalkeeper) — His new teammate at Montréal! On loan from Bologna (Italy), developed at Universidad Católica
- Gonzalo Tapia — Columbus Crew
- Benjamín Kuscevic — Toronto FC
- Alexander Aravena — Portland Timbers
- Paulo Díaz — Atlanta United
- Antonio Riquelme — Real Salt Lake
- Zidane Yáñez — Nashville SC
Fun Fact: Having Gillier—another Chilean—at the same club will make the transition much easier for Alexis!
Alexis Sánchez: The European Journey in a Nutshell
Timeline of a Legend
| Year | Club | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Leaves Chile for Udinese (Italy) | Loaned to Colo-Colo & River Plate to gain experience |
| 2008 | Returns to Udinese | Becomes a star in Serie A |
| 2011 | Barcelona (Spain) | Wins 5 titles under Pep Guardiola (La Liga, Champions League, Club World Cup…) |
| 2014 | Arsenal (England) | 3 Community Shields, 2 FA Cups |
| 2018 | Manchester United | Brief stint |
| 2019 | Marseille (France) | One season |
| 2020 | Inter Milan (Italy) | 2 Serie A titles, Coppa Italia, 2 Supercoppa |
| 2023 | Sevilla (Spain) | Helps avoid relegation in final season |
Total European Trophies: 16
What This Means for Everyone
For Alexis
- A new challenge in a growing league
- Less physical intensity than Europe—could extend his career
- Chance to be THE star of a franchise
- Closer time zones for family in Chile
For Montréal
- Massive marketing boost—global attention on the club
- Experience & leadership for young players
- Goals & assists from a proven winner
- Helps attract more talent
For the MLS
- Another legendary name joins the "retirement league" narrative buster
- Continues the trend of World Cup winners choosing MLS
- Grows the league’s global credibility
For Chilean Football
- 7 Chileans now in MLS—a record!
- Shows Chilean players are valued internationally
- Creates a pathway for younger talents
Summary
Alexis Sánchez (37) signs 2-year deal with CF Montréal (MLS)
Ends 18-year European career with 7 clubs & 16 trophies
Declined Sevilla renewal despite saving them from relegation
Joins Thomas Gillier (Chilean GK) + 6 other Chileans in MLS
MLS now home to Messi, Suárez, Lewandowski, Griezmann, Casemiro, Son, Müller
Montréal has Chilean history (Jeisson Vargas, 2016)
Fresh start for Alexis, huge coup for Montréal & MLS
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Is Alexis Sánchez washed up at 37?
Not at all! He played nearly every game for Sevilla last season and helped them stay in La Liga. In MLS, the travel and physical demands are different—many stars improve their stats when they arrive (see: Messi, Suárez, Giroud).
Why didn’t he stay in Europe?
He had offers (including Sevilla), but wanted a new lifestyle, less pressure, and a chance to be the undisputed leader of a project. Plus, family reasons—his daughter Bela was just born.
Is MLS a "retirement league"?
That label is outdated. Yes, veterans come, but the league now develops young talent (sold to Europe for big fees), has Designated Player rules to attract stars, and the level rises every year. The 2026 World Cup (USA/Canada/Mexico) is accelerating investment.
How good is CF Montréal?
They’re a mid-table Eastern Conference team—not a powerhouse yet, but ambitious. With Alexis, they instantly become playoff contenders and a team nobody wants to play.
Will we see Alexis play for Chile again?
He hasn’t retired internationally! Playing weekly in MLS (Feb–Oct) keeps him fit for World Cup qualifiers. Don’t be surprised if Ricardo Gareca calls him up.
Final Thought: Alexis Sánchez didn’t just "go to MLS." He chose a club with Chilean roots, a league on the rise, and a role where he can write one last beautiful chapter. For Chilean fans, the best part? You can now watch him on weekends without waking up at 3 AM!