Former Chelsea and Shanghai Port Brazil international attacking midfielder Oscar has announced his immediate retirement on Sunday via his official Instagram account, ending his 17-year professional football career.

In his retirement announcement video, Oscar said: "It is very difficult for me to end a career that has taken me to almost every corner of the globe, as I hoped to contribute more to São Paulo (current club). Unfortunately, my health condition forces me to retire. In the future, I will continue to support São Paulo and start a new life as a fan."

Oscar was diagnosed with a rare heart condition during a medical examination in November 2025. This condition caused him to frequently faint for no apparent reason, and he has unfortunately not played on the pitch since then.

About Oscar

The 34-year-old Oscar was born on September 9, 1991, in Americana, São Paulo, Brazil. He is 1.79 meters tall and primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, but can also play as a left winger. He holds dual Brazilian and Italian citizenship.

Oscar played for the youth academy of a non-league club in  Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, as a child. At 13, he joined São Paulo's youth academy and completed his São Paulo first-team debut in a Copa Sudamericana match against Atlético Paranaense in 2008.

In the summer of 2010, Oscar moved to Internacional for €6 million.

During his two-year spell with the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club, Oscar won the Campeonato Gaúcho title twice and the Copa Sudamericana once.

In July 2012, Oscar joined Chelsea for £25 million.

During his four-and-a half-year spell with the Blues, Oscar scored a spectacular goal in a Champions League match against Juventus, as well as winning the Premier League title twice, the English League Cup once, and the Europa League once.

In January 2017, Oscar joined Shanghai Port for £60 million, becoming the most expensive player in Chinese football history.

During his seven-year spell playing at Shanghai, Oscar won the Chinese Super League title three times, the Chinese FA Cup once, and the Chinese FA Super Cup once.

On Christmas Day 2024, Oscar returned to São Paulo as a free agent.

Throughout his career, Oscar made 556 appearances for various clubs in all competitions over a 17-year spell, scoring 136 goals and providing 205 assists.

Internationally, Oscar won the U20s FIFA World Cup and the South American Youth Championship with the Brazilian U20s national team in 2011.

From 2011 to 2015, Oscar made 48 appearances for the Brazil national team in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing 25 assists.

During these four years, he won the 2013 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and a silver medal in men's football at the 2012 London Olympics.

Image source: Internet / Chelsea official website