Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar has been hospitalized in Brazil with a heart-related issue and could be forced to retire from football, according to multiple reports.
The 34-year-old reportedly fell ill on Tuesday during a training session with Brazilian Serie A side São Paulo, after suffering a medical episode while testing on an exercise bike.
Brazilian outlet Globo reported that Oscar is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Israelita Einstein Hospital in São Paulo.
In an official statement, the club confirmed that the midfielder “presented an incident with cardiological changes” and was “promptly attended to by the club’s medical team and professionals from Einstein Hospital.”
São Paulo added that Oscar remains in stable condition and is under observation as further tests are conducted to clarify his diagnosis.
Oscar, who joined São Paulo in December 2023 on a three-year contract, last featured in August against Corinthians — a match in which he sustained a fractured vertebrae after just 20 minutes of play.
According to Globo, Oscar had shown signs of a heart abnormality during medical tests following that injury but was later cleared to continue playing.
The former Chelsea and Brazil international, who made a £60 million move to Shanghai Port in 2016 after five seasons at Stamford Bridge, has played 21 matches for São Paulo since his return.
Local media further report that Oscar is now considering an amicable termination of his contract, which runs until 2027, due to his ongoing health challenges.
Upon signing with São Paulo last year, Oscar expressed joy at returning to his boyhood club, saying, “I’m happy to be back in Brazil and to be able to play for São Paulo, the club where I started out and grew up. I’ll do my best to achieve great things together.”
