Former Chelsea star Oscar is set to retire from football after his wife and family implored him to walk away from the game over his heart abnomalities.
The 34-year-old Brazilian is currently in intensive care after falling unconscious during a training session with Sao Paulo due to a heart problem.
‘Thank you so much for the messages and prayers. Everything will be fine, God willing’ he posted on Instagram on Wednesday.
Oscar has been receiving medication for a heart condition since August and had been cleared to play football, but Tuesday’s health episode has forced him to reconsider his future.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Oscar – who earnt £150million during his lucrative spell in China – is being strongly advised by his family to retire. The same reports suggest he has had a catheter installed.
Oscar has a contract until 2027 but Sao Paulo bosses are open to an amicable termination of his deal should he wish to retire. A club source confirmed to the outlet that the feeling is he is ’99 per cent’ likely to quit football.
Former Chelsea star Oscar (left, with ex-teammate Jon Obi Mikel) is set to retire after reportedly falling ill in Brazil
According to reports in Brazil, the footballer is in intensive care with a heart problem
The 34-year-old is being encouraged by his wife to retire from football amid his health episode
The 34-year-old and his wife, Ludmila Emboaba, share two children – Julia and Caio – and are understood to want to spend more time with them, so prioritising his health and wellbeing are of upmost importance.
Oscar and his family are set for life. He earnt £400,000-per-week during his eight-year spell in China.
The 34-year-old, who spent five years at Stamford Bridge before making a £60million move to Shanghai Port in 2017, returned to his boyhood club last December but has played just 21 games for them.
Oscar last featured for Sao Paulo in August against Corinthians, where he suffered a fractured vertebrae after just 20 minutes.
In a statement on Tuesday, the club said Oscar ‘presented an incident with cardiological changes’ and was ‘promptly attended to by the club’s professionals and the medical team from Einstein Hospital Israelita’ on site.
They added: ‘The player was then taken to the hospital, where he is currently in stable condition and remains under observation for further tests to clarify the diagnosis.
‘As per standard procedure and respecting the player’s privacy, further information will be released as soon as there is an update from the medical team, in agreement with Oscar.’
Oscar penned a three-year contract with Sao Paulo after making the move on December 25 last year, and expressed his excitement at coming ‘home’ to the club where it all began.
Oscar spent eight years in China where he earned a lucrative wage of £400,000 per week
The Brazillian played for Chelsea for five years until 2017, winning the Europa League in 2013
‘I’m happy to be back in Brazil and to be able to play for Sao Paulo, which is the club where I started out, where I made my base and where I grew up,’ he said in a statement.
He added: ‘I thank you for the affection I have received on social media these past few days and I will do my best to achieve great things together.’
Oscar made the homecoming after eight years in China, where he moved at the height of the Chinese Super League boom which saw several foreign superstars snapped up for astronomical fees and placed onto large contracts.
But while most of those stars moved on as the financial picture changed, Oscar remained with Shanghai Port, winning the CSL title three times. He also lifted the Chinese FA Cup and Super Cup.
Reportedly being paid £400,000 per week at the time, he scored 77 goals and added 141 assists in 248 appearances for the club.
The Brazilian also scored 38 goals in 203 games for Chelsea between 2012 and 2016, winning the Premier League, League Cup and Europa League during his time in west London.
