Rafael Nogueira
Oscar Ends Career Due to Vasovagal Syncope
Oscar, the former Brazil international and São Paulo star, has announced his retirement from professional football at age 34 following a chronic heart condition that has sidelined him since November. The midfielder spent five seasons at Chelsea, where he won the Premier League and Europa League titles, before joining Shanghai in China in 2017, where he claimed three Chinese Super League championships.
São Paulo FC confirmed the retirement through an official statement. Oscar has been dealing with health complications since last November, when he last took the pitch. Medical tests revealed he suffers from vasovagal syncope, a condition causing sudden drops in heart rate and blood pressure that can result in loss of consciousness.
Medical Crisis and Hospitalisation
The midfielder was hospitalised for five days in November after complications emerged during a routine medical check-up. The diagnosis of vasovagal syncope made continuing his professional career untenable. Despite holding a contract with São Paulo through 2027, both parties mutually agreed to terminate the agreement.
Oscar’s Emotional Statement
Oscar expressed his disappointment through social media, acknowledging that while he possesses the capability and age to continue playing, his health condition forced the decision. He emphasised his desire to have contributed more to the club where his career began.
The player stressed that he would remain a supporter of São Paulo as a fan, noting that his footballing journey, which began at the club itself, had taken him across the world before ending where it started.
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International Legacy
Oscar earned 48 caps for Brazil, winning the 2013 Confederations Cup and appearing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where the Seleção finished fourth. His career spanned elite clubs at the highest levels of domestic and international football, establishing him as a significant figure in modern Brazilian football history.