Montréal signs Alexis Sánchez as a Designated Player

By Liam Tremblay — 11 August 2026 — 3 min read

CF Montréal has announced the signing of Chilean international forward Alexis Sánchez as a Designated Player. The agreement secures Sánchez with the club through the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, with an included club option for the 2027-28 season. This move marks a significant addition for the MLS club, bringing a player with extensive experience from top European leagues.

Luca Saputo, CF Montréal Senior Director, Recruitment and Sporting Methodology, stated that Sánchez’s arrival represents an important step for their sporting project. Saputo highlighted Sánchez’s exceptional technical quality and experience at the highest level of world football, noting that his personality, leadership, and competitive mindset align with the club’s identity and ambitions. Saputo believes Sánchez will have an immediate impact both on the field and in the locker room.

Sánchez’s European and International Career

Sánchez expressed his happiness to join CF Montréal and take on this new challenge. He conveyed gratitude to the club for their confidence and eagerness to apply his experience to help achieve objectives and create memorable moments for supporters. Sánchez affirmed his commitment to giving his all for the club and the city.

Sánchez spent the 2025-26 season in La Liga with Sevilla FC, where he recorded four goals and two assists in 30 appearances across all competitions. He previously played for clubs such as FC Barcelona, Arsenal FC, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Olympique de Marseille. His career also includes time with Udinese in Italy and beginning his career in Chile and Argentina.

As the first Chilean player to join FC Barcelona in 2011, Sánchez contributed to the club winning the Supercopa de España, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He also secured a Copa del Rey title in 2012 and a La Liga championship in 2013.

During his time with Arsenal, which he joined in 2014, Sánchez won the FA Cup in 2015 and 2017, along with three FA Community Shield titles in 2014, 2015, and 2017. He was named to the Premier League Team of the Year for the 2014-15 season and was voted Arsenal Player of the Year after both the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons. He registered 79 goals and 40 assists in 163 appearances for Arsenal between 2014 and 2018.

With Inter Milan, Sánchez won two Serie A titles in 2020-21 and 2023-24, two Supercoppa Italiana titles in 2021-22 and 2023-24, and one Coppa Italia in 2021-22. He also reached the UEFA Europa League final in 2020. For FC Barcelona, he scored 42 goals in 112 appearances.

Impact and Current Club Standing

On the international stage, Sánchez is one of the most decorated players in Chilean football history. He helped Chile win back-to-back Copa América titles in 2015 and 2016, scoring the winning penalty against Argentina in the 2015 Copa America. He was named player of the tournament while captaining his country to a repeat victory at the Copa America Centenario. He also reached the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup Final. Sánchez holds Chile’s all-time records for both goals scored, with 51, and international appearances, with 168.

The signing is a significant addition for CF Montréal, which has reportedly lacked star power in recent seasons. The club currently sits second-last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 4-10-4, seven points behind a play-in spot with 16 games remaining in the MLS regular season. CF Montréal enters Saturday’s home game against D.C. United on a seven-game winless streak in league play.

Sánchez, a forward, stands 5’7″ and was born on December 19, 1988, in Tocopilla, Chile. His previous club was Sevilla FC, and he was acquired on August 11, 2026.

Source: en.cfmontreal.com