Alexis Sanchez has joined Montreal Impact on a two-year deal, marking another high-profile arrival in Major League Soccer. The 37-year-old Chilean forward, who previously starred at Arsenal, Barcelona, and Manchester United, will compete alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami and other elite talent reshaping North American football. Former France international Bacary Sagna, who spent time with Montreal, believes Sanchez possesses the quality to flourish in MLS despite the league's unique challenges.
Adapting to Montreal's Climate and Culture
Sagna acknowledged that Sanchez must adjust to Quebec's harsh winters, telling Goal that "he will need to adapt to the cold first." However, the ex-Manchester City defender expressed confidence in the attacker's abilities, noting that observers were already impressed by Sanchez's technical quality during his initial training sessions. "People could see the difference of quality, they could see why he is Alexis Sanchez," Sagna explained, emphasizing that the move offers an opportunity for the veteran to rediscover his spark after inconsistent form across Europe.
Sagna spent three seasons in Montreal and became an advocate for the MLS experience beyond traditional American markets. He highlighted Montreal's unique blend of European culture and North American infrastructure, describing it as "amongst the best places to live" globally. The city offers:
- Well-balanced lifestyle with strong family appeal
- Bilingual community (French and English speakers)
- Established Spanish-speaking population
- Access to outdoor winter activities and parks
A Career Resurgence in North America
Sanchez's journey since joining Manchester United in January 2018 has been marked by instability, with the forward making just 45 appearances before departing. Subsequent stints at Inter Milan, Marseille, Udinese, and Sevilla yielded limited consistency, though an 18-goal campaign in France demonstrated glimpses of his former prowess. At 37, the Chilean international seeks to recapture the form that once placed him among the world's elite scorers.
MLS has witnessed remarkable success with aging European superstars, most notably Messi, whose four-goal performance against Canadian opposition at Inter Miami underscores the league's competitive credentials. Sagna believes Sanchez can follow a similar trajectory, stating: "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." With two seasons ahead of him in Montreal, Sanchez has ample opportunity to prove his doubters wrong and become a transformative figure in Canadian football.
