Former Brazil international Oscar has been forced to retire from football at the age of 34 due to cardiac problems, his club São Paulo confirmed on Saturday. The attacking midfielder spent five days in hospital after fainting during a routine medical in November and has not played since.
A vasovagal syncope, caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, heart rate and cerebral blood flow, was diagnosed, leading to the end of his career. Oscar had a contract with São Paulo that was due to expire in 2027.
“I am ending a career here in São Paulo that has taken me practically to the four corners of the world,” Oscar said in a club statement. He played five seasons for Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles and the Europa League, before moving to Shanghai Port in 2017, where he won three Chinese Super League titles. He returned to São Paulo in 2025, the club where he started his career.
Oscar earned 48 caps for Brazil, winning the Confederations Cup and playing in the 2014 World Cup on home soil.
