Oscar, 34, the former attacking midfielder for Brazil's national football team, has decided to retire from professional football. The decision comes five months after he was hospitalized for a cardiac episode.
São Paulo FC announced on its website on Sunday that "Oscar has announced his retirement from football. His contract, which was scheduled to run until December 31, 2027, has been terminated by mutual agreement with the player."
Oscar collapsed and lost consciousness during a physical examination at the club's training center in November last year. He was subsequently diagnosed with vasovagal syncope — a condition caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate — and underwent surgery.
"My heart stopped for about two minutes and 30 seconds. I received CPR, but I had no memory of anything other than having fainted," Oscar wrote on his social media account. "I think I was having a very good dream while unconscious. I saw my son saying, 'Dad, come back!'"
Oscar grew up in São Paulo's youth academy before moving to Chelsea in England for a transfer fee of 25 million pounds in 2012. He made 203 official appearances and scored 38 goals over five seasons, winning two English Premier League titles and one UEFA Europa League trophy.
Oscar transferred to Shanghai Haigang in the Chinese Super League in 2017 and played eight seasons before returning to his hometown club São Paulo in December 2024. Between 2011 and 2015, he was a key midfielder for Brazil's national team, scoring 12 goals in 48 international caps.