Alexis Sánchez: The Gamble of a 37-Year-Old Forward in Canada

After a long journey from Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United to smaller clubs across Europe, Alexis Sánchez has officially signed a two-year deal with CF Montréal in Major League Soccer (MLS). While the North American league is no longer an unfamiliar destination for aging stars, the choice of Montreal—a club struggling behind the shadows of Inter Miami—raises questions: Is Sánchez truly the answer to Montreal's identity crisis, or merely a final attempt to sell tickets and fill the stands? Signing Sánchez—a player who once scored 18 goals in a Ligue 1 season—is not a leap of faith. Montreal paid no transfer fee, indicating a calculated move. However, the guaranteed two-year contract—especially the assured second year—brings up concerns: Can a 37-year-old player, whose career has been nomadic since 2026, sustain performance levels worthy of a Designated Player salary? Football history shows stories like Steven Gerrard at LA Galaxy ending poorly, while Zlatan Ibrahimović shone brightly. It cannot be denied that Sánchez still possesses high technical ability, but what once made him elite—speed, high pressing, explosive acceleration—is fading. MLS’s physically demanding, transition-heavy style may suit a technically gifted player like Sánchez, but it could also expose his declining physicality. This makes the direct comparison to Messi—who remains elite at 39—both irrelevant and dangerous. Meanwhile, former teammate Bacary Sagna’s comments—delivered through a betting sponsor platform—are promotional rather than analytical. A single training session cannot predict match performance. Montreal must wait for real numbers in the first 10 matches to assess whether Sánchez is genuine fire or just smoke. Meanwhile, pressure from fans and media will immediately fall on Sánchez. If he fails to score at least 3 goals in his first 10 matches, the "washed-up" narrative will spread rapidly. Especially since Montreal directly competes with Inter Miami, where Messi recently scored four goals against Canadian opposition, comparisons become inevitable. Yet there’s another angle: Sánchez isn’t just about athletic value. With his experience from Arsenal and Barcelona days, he could serve as an ideal mentor for Montreal’s younger players. However, mentorship cannot replace goals. And that remains the biggest challenge of any "last-ditch effort"—not everyone is as fortunate as Ibrahimović. Ultimately, Montreal is testing a model: "High value at low cost." If Sánchez can maintain 60-70% of his former self, this signing will be deemed successful. But if his body fails before the season ends, the Number 7 jersey will only become a beautiful memory—and a small lesson for clubs chasing "superheroes" in old age.