Is Oscar retiring? Ex-Chelsea footballer holds talks with club after recent health diagnosis
A two-time Premier League winner is expected to retire after being diagnosed with a medical condition.
Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar collapsed during a training session last month and was taken to hospital after losing consciousness while using an exercise bike. He has not trained since the incident.
Oscar currently plays for Sao Paulo, the club where he began his career. The 34-year-old has spent recent weeks considering his future.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Oscar has spoken with club officials and told them he plans to retire. A formal announcement is expected in the coming days.
Oscar joined Chelsea from Internacional in 2012 and spent four and a half seasons at Stamford Bridge. He was a key part of Jose Mourinho’s 2014/15 title-winning side, playing as the number 10 behind Diego Costa.
He left midway through the 2016/17 season under Antonio Conte but still received a Premier League winner’s medal after making nine appearances. During his time in London, he also won the Europa League and the League Cup.
After leaving Chelsea, Oscar spent seven years in China with Shanghai Port. He returned to Sao Paulo last Christmas on a three-year deal, though it now looks set to end two years early.
At international level, Oscar won 48 caps for Brazil between 2011 and 2015. He was part of the squad that won the 2013 Confederations Cup and featured at the 2014 World Cup on home soil.