Oscar Emboaba (foto: Instagram)
Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar shared emotional details about the cardiac arrest that ended his career and the moment he heard his son's voice calling him back.
Oscar has revealed new details about the terrifying medical emergency that changed his life and ended his football career.
The former Chelsea and Brazil midfielder said he was clinically dead for more than two minutes after suffering cardiac arrest during training with Sao Paulo last November.
The 34-year-old eventually recovered fully, but the incident forced him into retirement only months after returning to his boyhood club.
Looking back at the experience, Oscar described moments that remain difficult for him to explain.
"It was like a dream, a different dream. It's difficult to explain."
"I always heard that when you are about to die, you see yourself. I didn't see myself, but I had a very nice dream, where everything was amazing."
Then came the moment he believes brought him back.
"I remember hearing my son saying: 'Dad, you need to come back. Dad, you need to come back.'"
Doctors later diagnosed Oscar with vasovagal syncope, a condition affecting heart rate and blood pressure that creates fainting episodes and increases risks during intense physical activity.
He also underwent an ablation procedure.
Although he recovered medically, continuing professional football was no longer possible.
"I can live a normal life. Not a professional footballer's life, but a normal life."
The retirement was especially painful because Oscar had only recently returned home.
After eight successful years in China with Shanghai Port, he rejoined Sao Paulo in late 2024, hoping to finish his career where it started.
Instead, injuries and health problems restricted him to only 21 appearances.
"I wanted to do the next season. I was thinking about how I could be better and help Sao Paulo more."
Oscar's career highlights:
• More than 200 appearances for Chelsea
• Premier League titles with Chelsea
• 38 goals and 31 assists for the Blues
• Eight seasons with Shanghai Port
• International career with Brazil
• Returned to Sao Paulo before retirement
Off the pitch, family became even more important.
Oscar has been married to childhood sweetheart Ludmila since 2011, and together they have two children, Julia and Caio.
His football career may have ended earlier than planned. Still, Oscar now says he is grateful for something bigger.
He survived.