Why Oscar never spent his salary in China
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Oscar says he never touched his salary during seven years in China.
- His family reportedly lived entirely from lucrative match bonuses.
- The ex-Chelsea star chose financial security over a longer European career.
The former Brazil international joined Shanghai Port - then known as Shanghai SIPG - from Chelsea in January 2017 in a transfer reportedly worth around £60 million.
At the time, his estimated £400,000-a-week salary made him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world.
Over seven seasons in China, reports suggest Oscar earned between £150 million and £175 million in wages alone. Yet, according to the midfielder, almost all of that money remains untouched.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast hosted by former Chelsea team-mate John Obi Mikel, Oscar explained the financial strategy that surprised even his former colleague.
I transferred my entire salary to a special bank account and never touched it.The revelation quickly attracted widespread attention, with many supporters praising the Brazilian for his disciplined approach to managing his wealth in a sport often associated with extravagant lifestyles.
My family and I lived on the bonuses for winning matches because they were already very high.
Why Oscar left Chelsea for China
Oscar was still only 25 when he made the controversial decision to leave European football at the peak of his career.Having established himself as one of the Premier League's most technically gifted midfielders, many believed he would spend his best years competing at the highest level in Europe.
Instead, he accepted Shanghai's record-breaking offer.
Reflecting on the decision, Oscar admitted the financial package was impossible to ignore.
When I saw the offer and the salary, I couldn't sleep for two nights.The move became one of the defining transfers of the Chinese Super League's spending boom, as clubs invested heavily to attract established international stars.
My wife said to me, "You could break your leg playing for Chelsea tomorrow." We come from Brazil and we have a big family, so I accepted the offer.
Years later, Saudi Arabian clubs would adopt a similar strategy by recruiting elite players with lucrative contracts.
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Oscar arrived at Chelsea from Internacional in 2012 for around £25 million and made an immediate impression.His Champions League debut against Juventus remains one of the most memorable introductions in the club's modern history, scoring twice - including a stunning strike against Gianluigi Buffon.
During four-and-a-half seasons at Stamford Bridge, Oscar won both the Premier League and the Europa League whilst becoming a regular under José Mourinho.
However, opportunities became more limited under Antonio Conte, influencing his decision to seek a new challenge.
Oscar later revealed he had been close to joining Atlético Madrid before Chelsea's asking price ended negotiations.
I was close to joining Atlético but Chelsea refused to sell me.
Then came a proposal from China. It wasn't an easy decision, but I was on the bench, and I don't like to be on the bench.
Success at Shanghai Port
Although his move effectively ended his international career with Brazil, Oscar enjoyed significant success in China.He made 248 appearances for Shanghai Port, scoring 77 goals and providing 141 assists whilst helping the club win three Chinese Super League titles.
Despite occasional controversy - including an eight-match suspension in 2017 after deliberately kicking the ball into opposing players - Oscar became one of the league's standout performers throughout his stay.
When his contract expired at the end of 2024, Shanghai supporters gave him an emotional farewell after seven memorable seasons.
The cost of leaving Europe
Oscar always accepted that moving to China would almost certainly end his Brazil career.He won 48 senior international caps but never represented his country again after leaving Chelsea.
Speaking in 2021, he admitted it was difficult watching Brazil squad announcements.
When I accepted the offer from China I knew that I would be out of the spotlight and out of the Brazil team. It took me a whilst to accept that.Whilst some supporters believe he sacrificed sporting greatness for financial security, Oscar has never expressed regret over the decision.
Whenever I failed to make the squad, I would look at the list of players called up. I knew I was better than some of them.
Return to Brazil and early retirement
Following the end of his Shanghai contract, Oscar returned to Brazilian football with São Paulo before eventually retiring in 2026 after suffering a serious health scare.The midfielder reportedly collapsed during routine medical examinations and was later diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, a condition caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure that can lead to temporary loss of consciousness.
The incident brought his playing career to an earlier-than-expected conclusion.
A financial strategy that still stands out
Football has produced countless stories of extraordinary contracts, but Oscar's approach remains unusually restrained.Rather than relying on his substantial weekly salary, he says he preserved every payment by transferring it directly into a dedicated account whilst funding his family's lifestyle solely through generous match bonuses.
Whether his decision to leave Chelsea ultimately limited his footballing legacy remains open to debate.
What is beyond question, however, is that the move transformed his family's financial future, providing security that few professional footballers ever achieve.
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