Ex-Chelsea midfielder Oscar, 34, retires after fainting condition diagnosis

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar has retired from football months after being diagnosed with a fainting issue.

The 34-year-old most recently played for Brazilian side Sao Paulo in November, when he was admitted to hospital in November and diagnosed with vasovagal syncope.

Vasovagal syncope is defined by the British National Health Service as a common type of fainting caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate.

Oscar made 21 appearances for Sao Paulo, registering two goals and five assists since joining in January 2025. He announced on Saturday that he had agreed to terminate his contract two years early and retire from football.

𝐎𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐨, 𝐎𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫! pic.twitter.com/Y1iKPSYRaW

— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) April 4, 2026

“I wanted to do more for Sao Paulo, I wanted to play more. I think I had both the footballing ability and the age to play more, but unfortunately this happened,” the former Brazil international said.

“Now I’m going to retire and continue supporting São Paulo, continuing my life as a fan. I’m ending my career here at Sao Paulo, a career that has taken me to many places, practically all over the world.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their constant support, all the Sao Paulo fans who have backed me since my return and during this difficult time I’m going through.”

Oscar spent five-and-a-half seasons in the Premier League with Chelsea between summer 2012 and January 2017, winning a league title in the 2014-15 season and being part of the team that went on to ultimately lift the trophy in the 2016-17 campaign.

After leaving England he joined Shanghai Port in China, where he won three Chinese Super League titles over seven seasons.

The midfielder also made 48 appearances for Brazil, being part of the team that reached the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.