Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior has retired from professional football in April 2026, closing a career that was as financially transformative as it was influential on the pitch, following his final years in Brazil after a landmark spell in China.
Oscar, who rose to prominence at Chelsea FC, made a headline move in 2017 to Shanghai Port FC in a transfer reported at £67 million. At the time, the deal placed him among the most high-profile exports from Europe to Asia and signaled a broader wave of elite players drawn by the financial power of the Chinese Super League.
The move proved defining. Over a seven-year stint in China, Oscar earned wages reported at around £400,000 per week, accumulating more than £150 million in salary alone. Including bonuses and endorsements, his total earnings are estimated at roughly £175 million, making the move one of the most financially significant in modern football history.
On the field, Oscar remained a central figure for Shanghai Port, recording 77 goals in 248 appearances and playing a key role in domestic success, including a Chinese Super League title in 2018 and the FA Super Cup in 2019. His output, combined with his profile, made him one of the standout foreign players in the league throughout his tenure.
After leaving China, Oscar returned to Brazil to join São Paulo FC, where he completed the final chapter of his career before announcing his retirement in 2026.
His career arc reflects a defining trend of the past decade in global football: top-tier players weighing elite European competition against unprecedented financial packages abroad. In Oscar’s case, the decision ultimately secured generational wealth while reshaping the expectations around peak-career moves — and how they can redefine a player’s legacy long after the final whistle.