Former Chelsea star Oscar could be forced to retire after falling unconscious during a training session – with reports in Brazil claiming the footballer is in intensive care due to a heart problem.
The attacking midfielder is believed to have suddenly taken ill while testing an exercise bike during a training session with Brazilian Serie A side Sao Paulo on Tuesday.
According to Globo, Oscar is receiving care at the Israelita Einstein Hospital, where he is currently in the ICU.
The 34-year-old, who spent five years at Stamford Bridge before making a £60million move to Shanghai Port in 2016, 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. He has made the bench of just two squads since.
The same outlet reports that Oscar showed signs of a heart abnormality during tests for the fracture. The outlet say they questioned Sao Paulo on this at the time, but the midfielder was allegedly deemed fit to continue playing.
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.
Former Chelsea star Oscar (left) could be forced to retire after reportedly falling ill in Brazil
According to reports in Brazil, the footballer is in intensive care with a heart problem
The Brazillian fell unconscious and tests have uncovered a heart problem, according to reports
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.’
Brazilian reports also claim that Oscar is evaluating the possibility of an amicable termination of his contract with Sao Paulo. His current deal expires in 2027.
It is believed that the midfielder, who is regarded as the Chinese Super League’s greatest ever foreign player, was working towards a recovery ahead of Sao Paulo’s final five games of the season.
He was out for two months following the fractured vertebrae and – despite making the bench twice after recovering – suffered a calf injury in October and has continually missed squads since.
However, Sao Paulo issued a positive update on his condition last Friday and said he had been receiving muscular training and was completing ‘ball exercises on the field with physiotherapy’.
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.
‘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 spent four successful years at Stamford Bridge and made more than 200 appearances
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.