Oscar (footballer, born 1991) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is dos Santos and the second or paternal family name is Emboaba. "Júnior" is a generational suffix used for someone whose name is the same as their father, like "Jr." in English.

Quick facts for kids
Oscar

Oscar lining up for Brazil in 2014

Personal information

Full name

Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior

Date of birth

9 September 1991 (age 33)

Place of birth

Americana, Brazil

Height

1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)

Position(s)

Attacking midfielder

Team information

Current team

São Paulo

Number

Youth career

1998–2004

União Barbarense

2004–2008

São Paulo

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps

(Gls)

2008–2010

São Paulo

(0)

2010–2012

Internacional

(15)

2012–2017

Chelsea

131

(21)

2017–2024

Shanghai Port

179

(58)

2025–

São Paulo

(2)

International career^‡

2011

Brazil U20

(3)

2012

Brazil U23

(1)

2011–2015

Brazil

(12)

Medal record

Men's football

Representing Brazil
FIFA Confederations Cup
Winner	2013 Brazil
Olympic Games
Silver	2012 London	Team
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner	2011 Colombia
South American Youth Football Championship
Winner	2011 Peru

*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 July 2025
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 November 2015

Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior (born on September 9, 1991), known simply as Oscar, is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as an attacking midfielder for the Brazilian club São Paulo.

Oscar started his football journey at São Paulo. After some contract issues, he moved to Internacional. His great performances there led to him joining the famous English club Chelsea in 2012. He played for Chelsea for four and a half years. In 2017, he moved to the Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG (now called Shanghai Port). He spent seven years in China before returning to his first club, São Paulo, in 2025.

Oscar has also played for the Brazilian national team. He played for the Under-20 team and in the 2012 London Olympics. In 2011, he made history by scoring three goals in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup final. This was the first time anyone scored a hat-trick in that final. He was part of the Brazil team that won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and finished fourth in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club Career Highlights
International Career
Playing Style
Personal Life
Career Statistics
- Club Appearances
- International Appearances
Trophies and Awards
See also

Club Career Highlights

Starting His Football Journey

Hernanes and Oscar training for São Paulo in 2009

Oscar was born in Americana, Brazil. He began his youth career at União Barbarense. He quickly showed great talent from a young age.

He made his first professional appearance for São Paulo in August 2008. This was in a game for the Copa Sudamericana tournament. He played his first league game in March 2009. That year, he played 11 times for the team in the top Brazilian league.

Playing for Internacional

Oscar joined Internacional in 2010. There was a disagreement with his old club, São Paulo, about his contract. Eventually, the two clubs reached an agreement in 2012.

His first season at Internacional was affected by an injury. In February 2011, he scored his first goal for the club. This was in a Copa Libertadores match, a big South American club competition. He scored two more goals in that tournament. He finished the 2011 season with 10 goals in 26 games.

Time at Chelsea F.C.

In July 2012, Chelsea agreed to sign Oscar. He officially joined the club on a five-year contract. He made his first appearance for Chelsea in August 2012.

Oscar playing against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, October 2012

Oscar started his first game for Chelsea in the Champions League in September 2012. He scored two amazing goals against Juventus. One of his goals curled beautifully over the goalkeeper. Even though the game ended in a 2–2 draw, he was named the best player of the match. He later said that playing in the Champions League was a dream come true for young players in Brazil.

He quickly became a regular player for Chelsea. He scored more goals in the Champions League that season. In May 2013, Oscar played the whole game when Chelsea won the Europa League final. This was his first trophy with the London club. His goal against Juventus was even chosen as Chelsea's "Goal of the Season."

In the 2013–14 season, Oscar continued to score important goals. He scored in Chelsea's first league game against Hull City. He also had a fantastic game against Southampton, scoring one goal and helping with two others. In March 2014, he scored two goals in Chelsea's big 6–0 win over Arsenal.

Oscar preparing a free kick in a UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on 8 April 2014

Before the 2014–15 season, Oscar changed his shirt number from 11 to 8. He said he was happy to give number 11 back to Didier Drogba, a Chelsea legend. He also hoped to be as successful as Frank Lampard, who used to wear number 8. In November, he signed a new contract with Chelsea. He scored two goals in Chelsea's 5–0 win against Swansea City in January 2015.

In the 2015–16 season, Oscar scored Chelsea's first goal. Some fans were upset with Oscar and other players. They believed their dip in form led to manager José Mourinho losing his job. In January 2016, Oscar scored three goals in one game against Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup. In October 2016, he played his 200th game for Chelsea.

Moving to Shanghai Port

On December 23, 2016, Oscar moved to the Chinese Super League team Shanghai Port. This transfer was a record for Asian football at the time. He reportedly signed a four-year contract with a very high weekly salary. Oscar explained that Chinese clubs offered amounts that players could not refuse. He also said he was thinking about his family's future.

Oscar quickly made an impact for his new club. He scored on his official debut in February 2017. In April 2017, he missed two penalty kicks in a Champions League match. In June 2017, during a league game, Oscar kicked the ball at opposing players. This caused a small fight, and he was later banned for 8 matches. In his second season, Oscar scored 12 goals, helping Shanghai win the league for the first time.

In December 2019, Oscar signed a new five-year contract. He became the team captain after his teammate Hulk left. In January 2022, there were rumors he might return to Europe and join FC Barcelona. He missed the start of the 2022 season for family reasons. He returned to China later that year.

In March 2023, Oscar shared his dream of returning to Chelsea one day. He told Talksport that he has a lot of passion for both Chelsea and Shanghai. In September 2024, he told a Brazilian newspaper that he would likely leave Shanghai at the end of the year. He said his family wanted to be closer to home. Oscar played his final game for Shanghai Port on December 3, 2024.

Returning to São Paulo

On December 25, 2024, Oscar made an exciting return to São Paulo, signing a three-year contract. He expressed his happiness to be back in Brazil and playing for the club where he started his career. He thanked fans for their support and promised to do his best for the team.

International Career

Youth Team Success

On August 20, 2011, Oscar scored three goals in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup final. Brazil won the match against Portugal. This made him the first player ever to score a hat-trick in a FIFA U-20 World Cup final.

2012 London Olympics

Oscar (wearing number 10) representing Brazil at Old Trafford during the 2012 Olympics.

Oscar was chosen for the Brazilian team at the 2012 London Olympics. He played a key role in Brazil's games. In the opening match against Egypt, he helped set up two goals. In the next game against Belarus, Oscar scored Brazil's third goal. He also provided two assists in the semi-final win against South Korea. Brazil went on to win the silver medal, losing to Mexico in the final.

Senior National Team

Oscar celebrates moments after scoring a goal against Croatia, in the first match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Oscar received his first call-up to the senior Brazilian team in 2011. In June 2012, he scored his first goal for Brazil in a friendly match against Argentina. He also scored a penalty kick and assisted three goals in an 8–0 win against China.

Oscar played in all of Brazil's games in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Brazil won the trophy by beating Spain 3–0 in the final. Oscar assisted the second goal in that final.

In the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Oscar scored a goal against Croatia. Brazil won that game 3–1. In Brazil's semi-final match against Germany, which they lost 7–1, Oscar scored Brazil's only goal. He was later named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team.

Oscar was not in Brazil's squad for the 2015 Copa América due to an injury. He was last called up to the national team in October 2016. In February 2025, Oscar was included in a large list of players for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, showing he is still considered for the national team.

Playing Style

Oscar on the ball for Brazil in 2014.

Oscar is known as a very talented and promising player. He is often compared to other great playmakers like Mesut Özil and Kaká. He is quick, agile, and very skilled with the ball. He has excellent dribbling and a great first touch.

As an attacking midfielder, Oscar has fantastic vision. He can make very accurate short passes to his teammates. This allows him to create scoring chances. He is also good at moving into dangerous areas near the opponent's goal. This helps him score goals and set up others.

Oscar can play in different attacking midfield roles. He can play in the center or on either side of the field. He is known for his ability to find teammates in tight spaces. He can also create chances in difficult situations. His energy and hard work also allow him to play in deeper midfield roles.

Personal Life

Oscar's father passed away in a car accident in 1994. Oscar was very young at the time. He grew up in a poor family. He credits his mother, Sueli, for his success. She raised three children by herself, making and selling clothes to earn money.

Oscar is married to his childhood sweetheart, Ludmila. They got married in 2011. Oscar is a Catholic and prays before each game. When he moved to London, he started taking English classes. Oscar and Ludmila have a daughter named Júlia, born in 2014, and a son named Caio, born in 2016.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			State league		National cup		League cup		Continental		Other		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
São Paulo	2008	Série A	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0	—		1	0
	2009	Série A	11	0	1	0	0	0	—		1	0	—		13	0
	Total		11	0	1	0	0	0	—		2	0	—		14	0
Internacional	2010	Série A	5	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0	1	0	6	0
	2011		26	10	12	0	0	0	—		6	3	1	0	44	13
	2012		5	1	9	4	0	0	—		6	1	—		20	6
	Total		36	11	21	4	0	0	—		12	4	2	0	70	19
Chelsea	2012–13	Premier League	34	4	—		7	2	5	0	15	6	3	0	64	12
	2013–14		33	8	—		3	2	0	0	10	1	1	0	47	11
	2014–15		28	6	—		2	0	4	1	7	0	—		41	7
	2015–16		27	3	—		4	3	1	0	7	2	1	0	40	8
	2016–17		9	0	—		0	0	2	0	—		—		11	0
	Total		131	21	—		16	7	12	1	39	9	5	0	203	38
Shanghai Port	2017	Chinese Super League	22	3	—		6	3	—		12	3	—		40	9
	2018		29	12	—		3	0	—		8	4	—		40	16
	2019		28	9	—		3	2	—		10	3	1	0	42	14
	2020		16	5	—		1	1	—		6	0	—		23	6
	2021		22	5	—		3	0	—		0	0	—		25	5
	2022		3	1	—		2	1	—		—		—		5	2
	2023		30	9	—		2	0	—		1	0	—		33	9
	2024		29	14	—		4	1	—		6	1	1	0	40	16
	Total		179	58	—		24	8	—		43	11	2	0	248	77
São Paulo	2025	Série A	5	0	12	2	1	0	—		2	0	—		20	2
Career total			362	90	33	6	41	15	12	1	98	24	9	0	555	136

International Appearances

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Brazil	2011	2	0
	2012	10	4
	2013	16	4
	2014	16	3
	2015	4	1
Total		48	12

Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Oscar
No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	9 June 2012	MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United States	Argentina	2–2	3–4	Friendly
2.	10 September 2012	Estádio do Arruda, Recife, Brazil	China	8–0	8–0
3.	11 October 2012	Swedbank Stadion, Malmö, Sweden	Iraq	1–0	6–0
4.	11 October 2012	Swedbank Stadion, Malmö, Sweden	Iraq	2–0	6–0
5.	21 March 2013	Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland	Italy	2–0	2–2
6.	9 June 2013	Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre, Brazil	France	1–0	3–0
7.	12 October 2013	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea	South Korea	2–0	2–0
8.	15 October 2013	Beijing National Stadium, Beijing, China	Zambia	1–0	2–0
9.	5 March 2014	Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa	South Africa	1–0	5–0
10.	12 June 2014	Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, Brazil	Croatia	3–1	3–1	2014 FIFA World Cup
11.	8 July 2014	Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil	Germany	1–7	1–7	2014 FIFA World Cup
12.	26 March 2015	Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France	France	1–1	3–1	Friendly