Oscar has bid a tearful farewell to China after bringing the curtain down on his lucrative stint with Shanghai Port. The former Chelsea midfielder was part of the influx of talent that surged into the Chinese Super League during its transfer splurge in the mid-to-late 2010s, though he was one of the few who remained in the country when spending in the division was curbed.
Chelsea received £60million for the Brazilian, who left midway through their glorious 2016/17 Premier League title-winning campaign. He signed a reported £400,000-a-week deal in south China, becoming one of the highest-paid footballers on the planet.
Over the course of his near-eight-year stint Shanghai Port, who were previously known as Shanghai SIPG, Oscar is thought to have earned around £175m. Though his hefty wages haven't adversely affected his relationship with the fans.
The ex-Brazil international, now 33, clocked up 248 appearances for the team, netting 77 goals and providing 141 assists. As such, he's the second-highest goalscorer in the club's history.
It was undoubtedly the huge wages on offer which lured Oscar to China, along with other Brazilian stars like Hulk, Robinho, Ramires and Paulinho, but unlike others, he has stayed put. Oscar has helped his side win the Chinese Super League title in 2018, 2023 and 2024, as well as the FA Super Cup in 2019 and the Chinese FA Cup this year.
His deep bond with the club and its supporters was poignantly displayed on Tuesday following his last game for Shanghai. The stands echoed with chants of "Oscar stay" as he tearfully acknowledged the crowd, visibly moved by the affectionate plea.
But with his contract expiring, the former Premier League champion has already made it clear that he plans to leave China in order to be closer to his family in Brazil. A move to his former club Internacional could be on the cards, with the Brazilian club's manager Eduardo Coudet openly admitting: "Our only goal, the player we are going to try moving forward, is Oscar.
"I want to bring in Oscar. I've already spoken to his manager, he can't stand me anymore. I want Oscar. The board ask me not to talk, but sometimes I talk too much."
Oscar #8 of Shanghai Port thanks fans.
Oscar is thought to have earned £175m while playing in China (Image: VCG via Getty Images)
Several European clubs are also reportedly monitoring his situation, though, and could look to make the midfielder an offer in January, meaning there is a chance he may return to European football.
However, in September, Oscar did hint at a move back to his homeland. "I love Shanghai, but it's just too far away from home for us," he said. "We can't stay here forever. My mum is getting older, my sisters are having babies. We want to be closer to home. Wherever I go, it won't be like here. There's no way to change that.
"The quality of life in China is unique in the world. I've never seen anything like it in Europe. My kids go to school and come back home by bus without worrying about safety. We can go out as much as we want at 2am or 3am, and go anywhere and nothing will happen. There are no drugs here. It's something from another world. Only those who are here, living here, understand how it feels."
Oscar holding the Premier League trophy in 2015
Oscar won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2015 (Image: Getty)
Oscar joined Chelsea from Internacional for £25m in 2012, a few weeks after the Blues lifted the Champions League. He announced himself with a stunning goal against Juventus in his first start, and went on to feature a whopping 64 times for the club in his first season.
In four-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge, Oscar played over 200 times, scored 38 goals and lifted the Premier League, the League Cup and the Europa League. Many felt his talents were wasted by moving to China, but considering his bank balance, few can blame him for making the decision he made.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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