Ex-Chelsea player Oscar retires with heart issue

Former Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Oscar has retired after being diagnosed with a heart condition.

The 34-year-old was treated in hospital in November after he became unwell during physical testing at Brazilian club Sao Paulo's training centre.

It was determined he had experienced a case of vasovagal syncope, which is a common type of fainting caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate.

Oscar, who won 48 caps for his country, has now cancelled his Sao Paulo contract, which had two years left to run.

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"I wanted to do more for Sao Paulo, I wanted to play more. I think I had both the footballing ability and the age to play more, but unfortunately this happened," Oscar said in an announcement posted on social media.

"Now I'm going to retire and continue supporting Sao Paulo, continuing my life as a fan. I'm ending my career here at Sao Paulo, a career that has taken me to many places, practically all over the world.

"I'd like to thank everyone for their constant support, all the Sao Paulo fans who have backed me since my return and during this difficult time I'm going through."

Oscar signed for Chelsea in July 2012, winning the Europa League in his first season and a Premier League and League Cup double in 2014-15.

He departed for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port in January 2017, having scored 38 goals in 203 games, leaving a Chelsea squad that went on to seal another Premier League title in May.

He won three Chinese Super League titles with Shanghai Port, before returning to Sao Paulo, the club where he started his career, on a three-year deal in January 2025.

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• São Paulo player spent days in hospital after fainting

• Oscar won two league titles in five years at Chelsea

The former Brazil international Oscar has been forced to retire at the age of 34 with cardiac problems, São Paulo confirmed on Saturday.

The attacking midfielder spent five days in hospital after fainting during a routine medical in November and has not played since. A vasovagal syncope, caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, heart rate, and cerebral blood flow was observed, forcing Oscar to call time on his career. He had a contract that was due to expire in 2027.

The stage is set for a massive night of Champions League football as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid go head to head in the quarter finals. The weekend prior to the big game turned out very differently for both giants. Despite going losing to Mallorca 2-1, the Madrid camp are fully charged up. The Bavarians on the other hand made an thundering comeback against SC Freiburg and are riding on an incredible boost in confidence at the moment.

Real Madrid handed a defeat ahead of UCL fixture

Post the international break, Real Madrid were scheduled to take on RC Mallorca ahead of Bayern Munich. Los Pirates managed snuff out Los Blancos 2-1 at home. The Madrid boss, Álvaro Arbeola took responsibility for the defeat. “The defeat is on me. It’s 1000% my fault,” said the player turned manager (as reported by Fabrizio Romano). “We didn’t do today what we trained for all week. We didn’t create chances well, we lacked patience, we lacked energy, and we lacked ideas,” Arbeola added.

Los Blancos are placing total importance on Bayern Munich game

Despite taking a hit and being behind in form as compared to Bayern Munich, Real Madrid are not to be underestimated. The coach, the fans and the players will be expected to rally together and give hell to the visitors. “I want my players to know that we can WIN on Tuesday. I know my players, and the importance they’re giving to the Bayern game. I’m certain the fans will be absolutely fired up, and the players will be up for it,” said Arbeola as he strongly backed his team to get the job done on Tuesday.

The Bayern camp is feeling unbeatable after an unreal comeback

Bayern Munich fell short to Real Madrid in the recent past due to several factors. However, credit where it is due, Real Madrid always believed they could win the game despite being outplayed and being behind against the Bavarians. Their self-belief manifested their wins from impossible situations. In those games, especially towards the end, Bayern gave off nervous vibes and a certain shakiness. It prevented them from consolidating a good position in the game and close the games off. There always seemed room for Madrid to come back. And they did.

This time, things are a little different. Bayern are riding on good form and on an incredible feeling in the squad. The win against SC Freiburg boosted an already cheerful locker room. Sparking an improbable comeback in the final minutes of the game, the German giants have tasted accomplishing the impossible at a fantastic time.

While they are used to controlling every single game and manufacturing wins, this win showed them that they can win even all seems to be lost. SC Freiburg were 2-0 up until the 80th minute. However, three goals in the final minutes coming from incredible pressure and a stubbornness to defy the odds saw the tide turn in their favor. The timing is perfect as this self-belief to achieve the impossible will be a big factor against Real Madrid.

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It’s been 38 years since one conference put two teams in the national title game.

If the odds are right, the Big Ten Conference could finally do it, with the Illinois Fighting Illini taking on the UConn Huskies and the Michigan Wolverines facing the Arizona Wildcats in tonight's Final Four action.

I’ve got both my moneyline predictions going the Big Ten’s way, setting up an Illinois vs. Michigan title game on Monday.

Read on for my March Madness picks for Saturday, April 4.

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March Madness moneyline picks on Saturday, April 4

Matchup	Pick
Illinois vs UConn	-135
Arizona vs Michigan	-120

Lines courtesy of bet365.

Expert March Madness Final Four moneyline picks for Saturday

No. 3 Illinois vs No. 2 UConn: Illinois (-135)

The Illinois Fighting Illini own the No. 1 offense in the country at 131.8 adjusted efficiency, the third-best offensive rebounding rate, and a turnover rate inside the Top 10 —all while ranking 22nd in 2-point field goal percentage.

The UConn Huskies' defense is elite, but Illinois has the size advantage across the board and the offensive firepower to overwhelm them, with second-chance points off the glass being the difference.

The Huskies' experience matters, but this Illinois offense doesn't care and will be playing for the National Championship.

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No. 1 Michigan vs No. 1 Arizona: Michigan (-120)

The Michigan Wolverines boast an experience advantage, and I’m betting they don’t flinch against the Arizona Wildcats.

Michigan is a solid ball-handling group with elite ball movement (61.4% assist rate), which should create good looks against a stingy Wildcats defense.

The Wolverines are elite defensively. They don’t foul much, which neutralizes Arizona's free-throw machine and one less avenue for the Wildcats to score.

Michigan typically controls the things that matter in a close game, and its depth will land the Wolverines in the Natty.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Forward Zach Hyman will miss Saturday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights with an undisclosed injury, leaving Edmonton without one of its top scorers.

Center Leon Draisaitl is expected to resume skating in the next few days, though he will not travel with the team for its final road trip. The Oilers remain tied for first in the Pacific Division and sit three points ahead of the Knights.