Ex-Chelsea ace Oscar falls unconscious in training and rushed to hospital with heart issue
Oscar is reportedly facing retirement after being rushed to hospital following a training session for Sao Paulo, with the former Chelsea midfielder falling unconscious due to a heart issue
Samuel Meade Sports Brand Writer and Neil Docking
09:45, 12 Nov 2025
Ex-Chelsea playmaker Oscar(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar faces a potential career-ending situation after collapsing during training due to heart complications.
The Premier League winner, 34, famous for quitting Stamford Bridge for a mega payday in the Chinese Super League, last took to the pitch for São Paulo in August during their clash with Corinthians, suffering a fractured vertebrae merely 20 minutes into the match.
Since then, he has only managed two substitute appearances on the bench. The midfielder reportedly became unwell while using an exercise bike during a training session on Tuesday and was immediately rushed to hospital for emergency treatment, according to Brazilian media reports.
Reports suggest Oscar has been monitoring a cardiac condition for several months after abnormalities were detected during medical examinations for his back injury.
Global Esporte claims the hospital raised concerns with São Paulo at the time, yet the player was apparently cleared to continue his playing career.
Oscar dos Santos of São Paulo
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the club confirmed 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”, reports the Mirror.
They continued: “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.”
Oscar returned to his roots in Brazil when he inked a three-year contract with Sao Paulo, the club where he kick-started his career before making the switch to Stamford Bridge in 2012.
The move took place in December of last year, and Oscar couldn’t hide his joy at returning ‘home’ to the club that launched his football journey.
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The midfielder joined Chelsea on the back of their Champions League triumph and went on to clinch the Premier League title under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho and again during Antonio Conte’s reign.
His surprising £60million transfer to Shanghai Port in 2016 marked his departure from west London. Conte, the Blues manager at the time, criticised the move amidst the Chinese Super League’s extravagant spending spree on high-profile players.
Oscar enjoyed a successful stint with Shanghai Port, bagging the CSL title three times along with the Chinese FA Cup and Super Cup. He was reportedly earning a whopping £400,000 per week during his tenure.
The Brazilian made a significant impact on the pitch, scoring 77 goals and providing 141 assists in 248 appearances for the club.
