"Never touched 8 years of salary," Oscar revealed the reason behind leaving Chelsea to play in China at age 25, admitting he couldn't sleep for two days after seeing the numbers.
Oscar, the former Brazilian national team playmaker, opened up on John Obi Mikel's The Obi One Podcast, explaining the background behind his major decision in 2017 when, at only 25 years old, he left the chance to play in European football to join Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League for a transfer fee of £60 million.
During the conversation, Mikel asked about rumors of Oscar’s massive earnings over 8 years in China, saying, "Is it true that you earned up to £150 million during your 8 years playing in China?" Oscar then revealed how he managed his money, astonishing many listeners.
"I saved my entire salary in a separate account and never touched it even once."
"My family and I lived solely on 'competition bonuses' because the bonuses alone were already a huge amount."
The former Chelsea star also shared the moment he saw the contract figures from the Chinese club, reportedly around £400,000 per week (about 17.5 million baht), which caused him to lose sleep for two days. His wife reminded him, "What if you get injured playing for Chelsea tomorrow?" Being Brazilian with a large family to support, establishing long-term financial security became the most crucial factor in his decision.
Originally, Oscar intended to play in China for only 2–3 years before returning to Europe, but he ended up staying for 8 years (2017–2024), earning an estimated total income of £150–175 million (approximately 6.7–7.7 billion baht).
On the field: Despite heavy criticism that he prioritized money over success, he became a key player, leading the club to three Chinese Super League titles (2018, 2023, 2024) and one Chinese FA Cup (2024). He played over 240 games, scored more than 70 goals, and provided over 100 assists.
Although European fans see his choice as abandoning career challenges, for a boy raised in a poor Brazilian family, Oscar affirms he always knew why he made this decision. The benefits he provided for his extended family during this period answer that question completely.