Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar says he never touched the colossal wages he earned in China, revealing a remarkable saving discipline that underpinned his seven-year spell at Shanghai Port. The Brazilian who moved from Chelsea in 2017 in a deal reported around £60m  says he placed his entire salary, estimated between £150m and £175m over his time there, into a separate account and lived off match bonuses to support his family.

Oscar’s reported weekly pay at Shanghai (around £400,000) made him one of the world’s highest earners, yet he insists the big contract never tempted reckless spending. “I put my entire salary into a separate account and never touched it once,” he said, adding that match bonuses were already substantial enough to cover living costs.

On the pitch, Oscar’s time in China was highly successful. He played a key role in Shanghai Port’s rise, scoring 77 goals and helping the club secure three league titles. After his stint in Asia he returned to Brazil, signing for São Paulo FC before retiring in 2026 following a heart-related issue.

By: Addy Kennedy Edem