São Paulo, BRAZIL – Former Brazil and Chelsea midfielder Oscar has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34 following a serious cardiac issue. Okay News can confirm that his current club, Sao Paulo, made the announcement on Saturday, stating that a vasovagal syncope—a condition causing a sudden drop in blood pressure, heart rate, and cerebral blood flow—has forced him to prematurely end a contract that was originally set to run until 2027.
The confirmation brings an end to months of speculation regarding his playing future. As previously reported last November, the attacking midfielder collapsed during a routine fitness test at Sao Paulo’s training centre and was subsequently hospitalized for five days.
Although he was discharged in stable condition and medical specialists initially suggested the condition might be manageable, the risks associated with intense physical exertion at the highest level of the sport have ultimately led to his decision to step away.
Releasing a statement through the Brazilian club where his football journey began, Oscar reflected on his global journey: “I am ending a career here in Sao Paulo that has taken me practically to the four corners of the world.”
The 34-year-old leaves behind a highly decorated legacy. During a successful five-year spell at Chelsea, he won two Premier League titles and the Europa League before moving to Shanghai Port in 2017, where he secured three Chinese Super League titles.
On the international stage, Oscar earned 48 caps for Brazil, winning the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and featuring prominently for his country during the 2014 World Cup on home soil.
