Oscar's decision stems from a terrible incident that occurred during preseason training at Sao Paulo's facilities, where the midfielder lost consciousness while undergoing a stress test on a stationary bike. What was initially feared to be a simple fainting spell turned out to be much more serious, as medical staff had to apply emergency resuscitation measures to the 34-year-old player.

Oscar spoke openly about the severity of the situation in a video released by the club, revealing that the medical emergency was a matter of life or death. About the incident, he said: "My heart stopped for two minutes, two minutes and a half. I did the test, and I ended up fainting, my blood pressure kept dropping, and my heart stopped. They performed cardiac massage on me. I only remember fainting."

Subsequently, the diagnosis was confirmed as vasovagal syncope, a condition that has ultimately prevented him from continuing to compete at the highest level in this sport.

Oscar's health problems have forced him to terminate his contract with Sao Paulo, which was valid until December 2027. Both parties reached a mutual agreement to rescind the contract, which involved a compensation payment of approximately €1.7 million.

Reflecting on his premature departure, an emotional Oscar expressed his regret at not having been able to give more to the Tricolor fans. He said: "It's difficult because I wanted to do more for Sao Paulo; I wanted to play more. I had football inside me and the right age, and I could have carried on, but unfortunately, this happened. Now I will retire and continue as a fan. I will move on with my life as a supporter."

He leaves the club after playing 37 matches across two spells, scoring two goals and providing seven assists during his time with the first team.

Oscar leaves an indelible legacy as one of the best playmakers of his generation. After coming through the youth ranks at Sao Paulo and Internacional, he signed for Chelsea in 2012, where he won two Premier League titles and the Europa League during a successful five-year spell.

In a surprising decision at the peak of his career, Oscar signed for Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League in 2017, where he spent several years as a standout figure. His statistics in Asia were astounding, with 76 goals and 110 assists.

In his farewell message, he acknowledged the journey he has taken: "I end my career here, at Sao Paulo, a journey that has taken me to many places, practically all over the world. I want to thank everyone for their constant affection, especially all the Sao Paulo fans who have supported me since my return, and in this difficult moment I am facing."

Oscar was also a mainstay of the Selecao for many years, notably at the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup held in his own country. His most famous moment, albeit bittersweet, came when he scored Brazil's only goal in the infamous 7-1 loss to Germany in the semifinal.

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