- Oscar retires from football at the age of 34 after a heart issue was discovered during a training session with his boyhood club São Paulo
- This decision ends a journey that began in his home country and took him to some of football’s biggest stages
Oscar retires from football at the age of 34 after a heart issue was discovered during a training session with his boyhood club São Paulo. His retirement brings a premature end to the career of one of Brazil’s most gifted midfielders.
Fans all over the world are shocked that Oscar is leaving football, especially because of the reasons behind his decision.
The former Chelsea midfielder collapsed during a routine training exercise in Brazil, prompting immediate concern and medical evaluation.
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Oscar has told his club that he plans to retire instead of risking his health. This decision ends a journey that began in his home country and took him to some of football’s biggest stages.
Rather than risk his health, Oscar has informed his club he intends to retire, a decision that marks the end of a journey that began in his homeland and took him to some of football’s biggest stages.
This article explores the circumstances that led to the moment when Oscar retires from football, reflects on his career, and highlights the legacy he leaves behind both in club and international football.
A Heart Scare That Changed Everything
The news that Oscar retires from football comes from a scary event that happened earlier this season. Oscar passed out for a short time while riding an exercise bike during a pre-season fitness test with São Paulo.
The medical staff rushed him to the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, where doctors ran a series of tests on him. These tests showed that Oscar had vasovagal syncope, which causes sudden drops in blood pressure and heart rate. This raised serious concerns about his long-term health.
Despite being discharged from the hospital and described as stable, the implications of the diagnosis were profound. Oscar chose to put his health first instead of continuing to risk it by playing professional football.
Oscar retires from football was not a decision made lightly, and it reflects a growing trend of players prioritizing life beyond the pitch when serious medical issues arise.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Before Oscar retires from football, he built a reputation as one of Brazil’s most technically gifted midfielders. Oscar started his youth career at São Paulo FC, which is the same club where he would end his professional career.
He made a name for himself with great performances in Brazil and at Internacional, which led to his move to Chelsea in 2012, where he joined the best players in Europe. Oscar became known in the English Premier League for his vision, passing range, and ability to make big plays in important games.
Chelsea’s Glory and Career Highlights
When Oscar arrived at Chelsea, expectations were high — and he delivered. He played 203 games over four and a half seasons, scored 38 goals, and helped the team win several trophies, such as two Premier League titles, the UEFA Europa League, and the English League Cup.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, he scored important goals and was always creative in the midfield. He was a fan favorite and a key player on teams that were competing for the title because he could break through defenses with sharp passes.
His success at Chelsea made him famous around the world and solidified his place as one of Brazil’s best midfielders.
Chapter in China: The Years at Shanghai Port
Oscar made a surprising but profitable move to Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League in 2017. Some critics questioned the league’s level of competition, but Oscar had a lot of personal and team success while he was in China.
He played for Shanghai Port for eight years, scoring goals, assisting others, and being a leader. He also became one of the league’s highest-paid and most powerful foreign players. That time helped him make sure he would have money in the future, but fans remember his earlier successes in Europe and Brazil more fondly.
Back to Brazil for the Last Chapter
Oscar made an emotional return to São Paulo in December 2024. This is where his senior football career began.
Fans were happy with the move because they saw it as a return home for a player who had spent years playing abroad and gaining a lot of experience in international competition.
Fans thought that his return would give the next generation at his childhood club a boost and let him make a real difference in the last years of his career.
But fate had other ideas. Just a few months after returning to Brazil, the event that led to Oscar’s retirement from football happened. It was a sudden and dramatic change from celebration to medical concern.
International Career with Brazil
Oscar’s impact went beyond just club football. He also played for Brazil, earning 48 caps and taking part in major tournaments like the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, which Brazil won by a wide margin.
His games for the national team showed that he could compete at the highest levels and helped Brazil become a world football powerhouse.
What People Are Saying About Oscar Retires From Football
News that Oscar retires from football has elicited reactions from fans, former teammates, and pundits around the world.
People on social media have been sending him messages of support and thanks for what he did in his career. Social media has been filled with messages of support and gratitude for his career contributions, with many highlighting both his achievements and the bravery of prioritizing health.
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Some fans are sad that his playing days are over so soon, but most respect his choice to protect his health. His former clubs, like Chelsea, have also sent tributes to him, honoring his place in their history and the impact he had on the game.
Football’s Legacy
When reflecting on why Oscar retires from football marks such a significant moment, it’s important to consider his impact across multiple continents and leagues:
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Technical excellence: Oscar was a great midfielder who was known for his creativity and intelligence because he was so good with the ball.
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Trophy success: He has won the Premier League and European trophies.
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International presence: He represented Brazil on the world stage and helped create a generation of talented Brazilian players.
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Global journeyman: From Brazil to England, China, and back home, Oscar’s career journey is one of international breadth and influence.
Oscar’s career shows that he can adapt and keep performing at a high level. He went from being a star in Europe’s toughest league to a beloved figure in Asia and back to his roots in Brazilian football.
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Medical Considerations and Player Welfare
The fact that Oscar is retiring from football also shows how important player health and safety are in professional sports. Football players are known for being in great shape, but they can still have unexpected health problems, especially later in their careers.
Oscar’s medical evaluation showed that he has vasovagal syncope, which is rare but very serious. It causes sudden changes in blood pressure and heart rate that can be dangerous if they happen while you are doing something very physical.
His choice to stop playing shows that people are paying more attention to the health of athletes. This is something that clubs, leagues, and doctors around the world are talking about more and more.
Some athletes push through injuries and worries to keep playing, but Oscar’s choice shows a different side of professional sports: knowing when to quit for the sake of long-term health.
Conclusion
People will remember Oscar’s career for a lot more than just the fact that he stopped playing football. He was a player who was both technically skilled and consistent, which made fans all over the world happy.
Oscar’s journey shows how global modern football is. He went from being a young player in São Paulo to winning the Premier League, then back home to China, where he was very happy. And even though the decision to retire because of health problems may seem sudden, it reminds us that even the best careers are shaped by things that happen outside of the field.
Oscar leaves the game with more than just trophies and records. He leaves behind a legacy of strength, talent, and kindness that fans and other professionals will remember long after the headlines fade.
