Retirement is not the end; Oscar may make a spectacular comeback like the "violent bird."

Written by Han Bing. Multiple major Brazilian sports media reported that Oscar, who was urgently hospitalized in November due to a heart issue, has finally decided to retire. The information was disclosed to Brazilian media by his close friend, and the media anticipates that Oscar will officially announce his retirement on social platforms within the next few days. São Paulo’s 2026 roster no longer features Oscar. The 34-year-old Brazilian player still holds a two-year contract with São Paulo and is negotiating a friendly contract termination with the club.

On November 11, during the São Paulo team’s physical testing, Oscar fell off the lower limb power bike, losing consciousness for two minutes and experiencing a pulse absence lasting up to 50 seconds. After emergency treatment, Oscar was rushed to the hospital and immediately admitted to the intensive care unit. That evening, he underwent cardiac catheterization and MRI scans, which confirmed abnormalities in his heart structure. Brazilian cardiologists explained that Oscar suffers from vasovagal syncope, a condition causing blood pressure and heart rate to drop, resulting in loss of consciousness. This illness is not life-threatening but requires long-term monitoring.

After Oscar’s episode in November, São Paulo club estimated his chances of retirement at 99%. On December 5, after being discharged, Oscar returned to the São Paulo training center for the first time. The club stated they were not rushing his comeback but would wait for Oscar’s own decision. Oscar’s wife, mother, and sister all opposed him taking further risks. Originally, Oscar planned to make his decision in the first half of 2026, hoping to explore continuing his playing career. However, after a month of consideration, he heeded his family’s advice.

Oscar signed with São Paulo at the end of last year, earning an annual salary of 30 million Brazilian reais (about 5 million USD). Two-thirds of this was covered by São Paulo club, and one-third by the club’s main sponsor, Superbet. Including salary, image rights, and signing bonuses, Oscar’s total annual income exceeded 62 million Brazilian reais (around 10 million USD). Oscar’s retirement will save São Paulo roughly 10 million USD in salary expenses over the next two years but will also result in the loss of sponsorship and merchandise revenue he generated.

São Paulo club plans to meet with Oscar soon, not only to negotiate contract termination but also to understand his future plans. The club intends to involve Oscar in club management, allowing him to contribute to São Paulo in a different role. Besides starting a coaching career from youth teams, São Paulo hopes Oscar can assist Argentine head coach Crespo and take on a sporting director role. Notably, Flamengo also wishes to recall this academy graduate. Once a priority signing target for 2026, Flamengo is now open to welcoming Oscar back if he chooses to return home.

São Paulo’s intention to retain Oscar is naturally to have him become the next Paulinho. The 37-year-old Paulinho was named the best professional football manager in the Brazilian league this year, leading newly promoted Mirassol to fourth place and qualifying for next year’s Libertadores Cup. Both Paulinho and Oscar played for the Brazilian national team and were star foreign players during the Chinese Super League’s “golden era.” After returning to Corinthians in 2022, Paulinho underwent two knee ligament surgeries, terminated his contract with Corinthians last May, and announced retirement in September. Before retiring, he prepared for a transition into football management, graduating from São Paulo State Football Association’s management training and interning for two weeks under Monaco’s Brazilian CEO, Skorlo, in Ligue 1 this June.

At the end of 2024, Paulinho became the technical coordinator of the small São Paulo state club Mirassol. He brought in the 44-year-old young coach Guanaes and recruited key players including center-back Hermes, midfielders Aldo and Felipe, forward Exxon, and winger Alesson. Mirassol quickly became the biggest dark horse in the Brazilian league, and Paulinho emerged as a highly sought-after football management talent. He declined offers from Corinthians, Santos, and Qatar, focusing on leading Mirassol to its first-ever Libertadores Cup appearance during its 100th anniversary. In summer, Mirassol promoted Paulinho to manager, and he strengthened the team by signing center-back Victor, attacking midfielder Sharon, and striker Renato. Mirassol finished fourth in the league, surpassing giants Fluminense, Botafogo, São Paulo, and Corinthians, securing qualification for next year’s Libertadores Cup.

This season, São Paulo, where Oscar plays, ranks only eighth in the Brazilian league. Whether they qualify for next year’s Libertadores Cup depends on the outcome of the Brazilian Cup final at the end of December. The club has already started planning for next year, with winning the league as the primary goal. Though they couldn’t bring back Paulinho, having Oscar become the next Paulinho would certainly be a pleasant surprise.