Former Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Oscar is weighing immediate retirement after a training ground health scare led to his hospitalization with cardiac issues this week.
The 34-year-old Oscar, who returned to Brazil this year to play for São Paulo, felt unwell on Tuesday after undergoing medical examinations at the club’s training center. He was transported to a hospital following the detection of cardiac alterations.
Brazilian sports outlet Globoesporte reported that his condition is “not very encouraging,” with further examinations scheduled for later this week. Oscar is reportedly in serious discussions to amicably terminate his contract with São Paulo.
The latest incident occurred while Oscar was performing a test on an ergometric bicycle.
He has been under cardiac monitoring since August, when multiple heart alterations were initially detected during an evaluation for a vertebral fracture. Despite those findings, he had previously received clearance to continue playing.
Oscar gained prominence as a generational talent in Brazilian football, playing for Chelsea before moving to Shanghai SIPG during the growth of Chinese football. He joined the Brazilian Championship club São Paulo this year.
This season, Oscar has scored two goals and contributed five assists in 21 appearances for São Paulo, where he shares a locker room with Portuguese player Cédric Soares.