Former Chelsea and Brazil star Oscar announces retirement

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar has retired at the age of 34 due to persistent heart problems, his current club Sao Paulo said on Saturday.

The former Brazil international was hospitalized for five days in November due to heart complications, with extensive evaluations confirming the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope, a common form of fainting caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure.

He was under contract with Sao Paulo until 2027, but has now terminated the contract.

«I wanted to do more for Sao Paulo, I wanted to play more. I think I had both the football qualities and the age to play more, but unfortunately this happened,» Oscar posted on the club’s social media.

“Now I’m retiring and continuing to support Sao Paulo while continuing my life as a fan.

“I am ending my career here in Sao Paulo, a career that has taken me to many places, almost all over the world.” oaYsz.

Oscar won the Premier League twice with Chelsea and the Chinese Super League three times at the Port of Shanghai. He returned to Sao Paulo in December 2024, signing a three-year contract with his boyhood club.

With Brazil he won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and was the only goalscorer in his side’s nightmarish 1–7 defeat to Germany in the semi-final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Published on April 5, 2026