Former Chelsea player collapsed last year and spent days in hospital
Sao Paulo have confirmed that former Brazil international Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior has retired at the age of 34 due to heart-related issues.
The former Chelsea midfielder has not played since November after collapsing during a routine medical. He spent five days in hospital, where tests revealed a vasovagal syncope, a condition caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, heart rate and blood flow to the brain.
Despite having a contract running until 2027, the decision has been made for him to step away from professional football, reportedly after consulting with his family.
“I am ending a career here in Sao Paulo that has taken me practically to the four corners of the world,” Oscar said in a club statement.
Oscar began his career at Sao Paulo before moving to Chelsea, where he spent five seasons and won two Premier League titles as well as the Europa League. He later joined Shanghai Port in China in 2017, winning three Chinese Super League titles.
He returned to Sao Paulo in 2025, bringing his career full circle at the club where he first emerged.
At international level, Oscar earned 48 caps for Brazil, winning the Confederations Cup and representing his country at the 2014 World Cup.
