Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar is considering retiring from football after collapsing during pre-season training with Sao Paulo on Tuesday. The 34-year-old fell ill while undergoing medical tests at the club's training ground and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Sao Paulo.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Oscar was taking part in an interval test on an exercise bike when he felt unwell, fell to the ground, and remained unconscious for around two minutes. He is now in a stable condition and undergoing heart checks at the private hospital.
Sao Paulo's football director, Carlos Belmonte, said: 'Right now, the only thing we're thinking about is that Oscar is well, stays well, then we'll have other concerns. If Oscar is well and fit, we're counting on him for the 2026 season. If Oscar isn't, or if he makes a personal decision not to play anymore, we will support the player's decision.'
Oscar, who has an 11-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son with his wife Ludmila (who is currently pregnant with their third child), is seriously exploring the possibility of ending his playing career, according to multiple sources in Brazil.
A statement from Sao Paulo confirmed: 'During tests carried out on Tuesday morning, athlete Oscar presented an incident with cardiological changes, being promptly attended to by the club's professionals and the medical team from Einstein Hospital. The player was then taken to the hospital, where he is currently in stable condition and remains under observation for further tests.'
Oscar joined Chelsea in 2012 for £25 million, making 203 appearances and winning two Premier League titles, the League Cup, and the Europa League. He moved to Shanghai SIPG in 2016 for £60 million before returning to Brazil last December on a three-year contract with Sao Paulo.
