Former Brazil international midfielder Oscar has been compelled to retire from professional football at the age of 34 due to cardiac complications, as confirmed by São Paulo on Saturday. The attacking midfielder spent five days in hospital after fainting during a routine medical examination in November and has not participated in any matches since that incident.
Medical Diagnosis and Career End
A vasovagal syncope, characterised by a sudden drop in blood pressure, heart rate, and cerebral blood flow, was diagnosed, ultimately forcing Oscar to conclude his illustrious career. He had a contract with São Paulo that was set to expire in 2027, but his health concerns have led to an early departure from the sport.
Oscar's Statement and Career Highlights
In a club statement, Oscar expressed his sentiments, saying, "I am ending a career here in São Paulo that has taken me practically to the four corners of the world." The former Chelsea and Shanghai Port player enjoyed a successful tenure at Chelsea, where he spent five seasons, securing two Premier League titles and the Europa League. He later moved to Shanghai in 2017, adding three Chinese Super League titles to his accolades before returning to São Paulo in 2025, the club where he began his professional journey.
On the international stage, Oscar earned 48 caps for Brazil, contributing to victories such as the Confederations Cup and participating in the 2014 World Cup hosted in Brazil. His retirement marks the end of a notable career that spanned multiple continents and brought significant achievements in both club and national football.
