Oscar (footballer, born 1991)

This name uses Portuguese naming customs. The first or maternal family name is dos Santos and the second or paternal family name is Emboaba.
Oscar

Oscar playing for Chelsea in 2014
Personal information
Full nameOscar dos Santos
Emboaba Júnior[1]
Date of birth9 September 1991
Place of birthAmericana, Brazil
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionAttacking midfielder / Winger
Club information
Current team
Chelsea
Number8
Youth career
1998–2004União Barbarense
2004–2009São Paulo
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2008–2010São Paulo11(0)
2010–2012Internacional36(11)
2012–Chelsea94(18)
National team‡
2009–2011Brazil U2025(9)
2012Brazil U236(1)
2011–Brazil45(12)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 27 March 2015

Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior (Brazilian Portuguese: [osˈkaʁ duˈsɐ̃tus imboˈabɐ ˈʒũnioɾ]; born 9 September 1991), better known as simply Oscar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for English club Chelsea and the Brazil national team.

Oscar began his career at São Paulo, where he won the Brazilian League in 2008. In 2009, he went to court against the club due to irregularities in his contract. After a series of controversies, he left for Internacional, where he spent the next three years of his career. His displays for club and country led to him signing for Chelsea for £19.35 million,

He is a Brazilian international and has represented his country at the under-20 level, at the 2012 London Olympics and at senior level. On 20 August 2011, Oscar scored three goals in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup final win against Portugal,[2] becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final.[3] Oscar later described his performances at the tournament as being a "gateway to the senior side."[4] His playing style and ability have drawn comparison to Brazilian attacking midfielder Kaká.[5][6][7]

Club career

Early career

Hernanes and Oscar training for São Paulo in 2009

Born in Americana, Oscar came through the youth academy at União Barbarense and impressed from an early age. Oscar was spotted by talent scouts who took him to the state capital where he subsequently joined São Paulo FC in 2004 at the age of 13. He made his professional debut in 2008. In 2009, he made 11 appearances for the first team, aged just 17.

Internacional

Initially, Oscar joined Internacional after a contractual dispute with his former club São Paulo, with Oscar's agent claiming that the club had not paid salaries as promised. Oscar's representatives argued that his contract with São Paulo was null and void whereupon Oscar joined Internacional as a free agent. São Paulo continued to claim that Oscar belonged to them and lodged legal appeals which prevented Oscar from playing for Internacional in vital Copa Libertadores fixtures. Eventually, a settlement was agreed upon between São Paulo and Internacional on 30 May 2012. Oscar's first season at Internacional was blighted by injury.

Chelsea

2012–13 season

Chelsea and Internacional agreed a fee of £19.35 million for Oscar, released in the financial statement from Internacional for that year. On 25 July, Chelsea announced on their official website that the signing of Oscar had been completed.[8] Oscar was given the number 11 shirt, last worn by former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who had left the club a month earlier.[9]

On 19 August 2012, Oscar made his debut for Chelsea by coming on in the 64th minute for Eden Hazard in their opening game of the 2012–13 season against Wigan Athletic.[10]

Oscar made his first start of the season on 19 September in Chelsea's first Champions League match against Juventus. After making the match 1–0 in favour of Chelsea with a deflected effort, he added a second, which curled over Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon in an eventual 2–2 draw. Oscar was then awarded Man of the Match honours.[11] He commented on his second goal, saying, "I am very happy with two goals on my debut but I would have been much happier if the team had won the game. In Brazil, young boys dream of playing in the Champions League and I'm very proud to have realised my dream."[12]

Oscar playing for Chelsea in October 2012

Three days later, Oscar then made his first Premier League start in a 1–0 victory over Stoke City.[13] Following his good performances, Oscar became a regular starter in Roberto Di Matteo's creative midfield triumvirate with Juan Mata and Eden Hazard. He scored his third goal of the season, in the Champions League, in Chelsea's 2–1 away defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk in Donetsk. Oscar continued his scoring record in Europe by scoring in an open net from 40 yards out in the reverse fixture against Shakhtar at Stamford Bridge, a match which Chelsea won 3–2.[14] Oscar also scored in Europe in ultimately Chelsea's last Champions League fixture, making the score 6–1 for Chelsea against debutantes Nordsjælland.[15]

After the sacking of manager Di Matteo on 21 November, interim manager Rafael Benítez only started Oscar three times in his first seven games. Benítez praised Oscar's attitude after dropping him for the FIFA Club World Cup Final against Corinthians and believed there was no rift between himself and the player.[16] He scored his first Premier League goal for the club on 23 December, scoring a penalty during an 8–0 win against Aston Villa.[17]

On 14 February 2013, less than a minute after coming off the bench to replace Mata, Oscar exchanged passes with Hazard before finishing past Tomáš Vaclík, breaking the deadlock and handing Chelsea a 1–0 away victory over Sparta Praha in the first leg of their Europea League Round of 32 clash.[18]

On 15 May, Oscar played the full ninety minutes as Chelsea defeated Benfica 2–1 in the Europa League final in Amsterdam, securing his first piece of silverware with the London club.[19] The following day, Oscar capped off his first season with the club with an individual award, as his goal against Juventus in the Champions League was named the Chelsea "Goal of the Season."[20]

2013–14 season

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

In the first match of the 2013–14 season on 18 August, Oscar scored Chelsea's opening goal in a 2–0 win over Hull City.[21] Oscar scored his second goal of the season in a Champions League match against FC Basel.[22] He opened the scoring against local rivals Fulham in the next round of Premier League fixtures, the final score being 2–0 with Mikel scoring the other goal, his first Premier League goal for Chelsea.[23] Oscar scored the opening goal in a match away to Norwich City, the final score 3–1 in favour of Chelsea.[24] In the match against Cardiff City, Oscar scored the third goal for Chelsea to help them on their way to a 4–1 home win.[25]

He continued his fine form and scored against West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on 1 October 2013 in Chelsea's 0–3 win. On 1 January 2014 Oscar put in a match-winning performance against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium, scoring one and assisting two as Chelsea won the match 0–3. However, he was booked in that match for diving.[26] On 26 January 2014 Oscar scored Chelsea's only goal by a free kick against Stoke City in the FA Cup as Chelsea progressed to the next round.[27] Oscar scored fourth and fifth goals in Chelsea's emphatic 6–0 victory over Arsenal on 23 March, which was Arsène Wenger's 1000th match in charge of the club.[28]

2014–15 season

Before the start of the season, Oscar's shirt number 11 was given back to the returning Didier Drogba, and he instead took the number 8 vacated by Frank Lampard earlier in the summer. He said "Didier is a Chelsea legend and a senior player. I am happy for him to take the 11 and for me to take the 8. Lamps is another legend at this club and I hope I will be as successful in the shirt as he was."[29]

His first goal of the season came in the third round of the League Cup, scoring the game winner from outside the box against Championship side Bolton on 24 September 2014.[30] His first league goal of the season came in Chelsea's following game, opening the scoring in their 3–0 home victory over Aston Villa.[31] His early season success was rewarded in November as he signed a new contract with the club keeping him with the Blues until the end of the 2018–19 season.[32]

Oscar scored twice in the first half of Chelsea's 5–0 away win at Swansea City on 17 January 2015, exploiting a wayward pass by Gylfi Sigurðsson to open the scoring after 50 seconds.[33]

International career

Under-20

On 20 August 2011, Oscar scored three goals in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup final win against Portugal,[2] becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final.[3] This performance was immediately compared to the 1966 hat trick by Geoff Hurst as only the second time a single player scored three goals in a World Cup final match.

2012 Olympics

Oscar playing for Brazil at the 2012 Olympics

Oscar was named into a strong Brazilian squad to compete at the Olympics in London.[34] Oscar starred in Brazil's 3–2 victory over Egypt in the opening game, providing the assists for goals by Rafael and Leandro Damião.[35][36] In Brazil's next game, a 3–1 victory over Belarus, Oscar netted the Seleção's third goal in injury time, after being played through by Neymar, to send the Brazilians into the quarter-finals.[37] All goals in the Olympics was assisted or scored by Oscar and Neymar, the two prodigies who are both regarded as the exceptional talents coming from Brazil. Oscar provided two assists, one to Rômulo and another for Leandro Damião, as the Seleção defeated South Korea 3–0 in the semi-finals at Old Trafford on 7 August. Brazil went on to lose the final against Mexico 2–1.[38]

Senior team

Oscar on the ball against Mexico at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Oscar was given his first senior call-up as a substitute in a 0–0 draw against Argentina.[39] Due to injuries to the attacking midfielder Ganso, he saw his national team opportunities increase and was even preferred over more experienced playmakers on a number of occasions.[40] In June 2012, Oscar scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Argentina, which Brazil went on to lose 4–3. He also scored a penalty against China as well as recording three assists in the 8–0 rout, before firing a brace against Iraq one month later.[41]

On 25 March 2013 Oscar played against Russia at Stamford Bridge with fellow Chelsea teammates David Luiz and Ramires. He wore the nation's iconic 10 number shirt.

Oscar played in all of Brazil's games in the tournament as they beat Spain 3–0 in the final to claim the trophy. He provided the assist for the second goal in the final, scored by Neymar.[42]

In the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, on 12 June against Croatia in São Paulo, Oscar scored in injury time with a toe-poke from outside the box for the last goal in a 3–1 win.[43] In Brazil's record-breaking 7–1 semi-final defeat to Germany on 8 July, Oscar scored the only goal for Brazil in the 90th minute. Alongside Thiago Silva, he was one of two Brazilians included in the Team of the Tournament.[44]

Playing style

Oscar playing for Chelsea against A.S. Roma in a friendly in August 2013

Although only 23 years old, Oscar has drawn many comparisons to well-established players Mesut Özil and fellow Brazilian teammate Kaká due to his playmaking abilities.[45] A superb dribbler, Oscar is very fluid and creative in his runs. As a playmaker, Oscar has great vision and is able to deliver the precise pass to his teammates. Oscar is extremely effective in building up play in areas higher up the pitch and his cunning runs as well as skillful short range passing make him a threat in and near the opponent's box. Although he typically played in central attacking midfield for Internacional, since his transfer to Chelsea, Oscar has been deployed as in all three attacking midfield positions behind the central striker. Known for his vision for picking out teammates in tight positions and carving out chances in difficult situations, Oscar acts as the catalyst in Chelsea's attack, and was widely praised for his role in the team's Europa League success in 2013. Under José Mourinho, Oscar has been used as Chelsea's primary playmaker.[46] His flexibility of being able to play in wider positions is also admired. Oscar's ability to press opponents high up the pitch has made him a favorite of Mourinho.[47]

Personal life

Oscar is married to his childhood sweetheart, Ludmila, who is of Japanese descent. They were married in 2011.[48] Oscar is a practising Catholic and prays before each game so that he can relax and find confidence for the match.[49] He started taking English classes when he moved to London and became flat neighbours with former teammate Juan Mata and Fulham midfielder Giorgos Karagounis upon his arrival at the club.[50] Oscar and his wife have a daughter named Júlia who was born on 5 June 2014.[51]

Career statistics

Club

As of 19 April 2015.[52][53][54][55]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brazil Brasileirão Copa do Brasil Paulista Continental[56] Club World Cup Total
São Paulo 2009 11000102[lower-alpha 1]0—140
Total 110001020—140
Internacional 2010 500000001[lower-alpha 2]060
2011 2610001107[lower-alpha 3]3—4413
2012 5100946[lower-alpha 1]1—206
Total 361100204134107019
England Premier League FA Cup Football League Cup Europe Other[57] Total
Chelsea 2012–13 344725016[lower-alpha 4]6206412
2013–14 338320011[lower-alpha 5]1—4711
2014–15 27620417[lower-alpha 6]0—407
Total 9418124913472015130
Career total 1412912430549113023549
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 All appearances in Copa Libertadores
  2. ↑ one appearance in FIFA Club World Cup
  3. ↑ Six appearances and 3 goals in Copa Libertadores, one appearance in Recopa Sudamericana
  4. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, 6 appearances and 5 goals in UEFA Champions League, 9 appearances and one goal in Europa League
  5. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, 10 appearances and 1 goal in UEFA Champions League
  6. ↑ All appearances in UEFA Champions League

    International

    As of 27 March 2014.
    Brazil national team
    YearAppsGoals
    201120
    2012104
    2013164
    2014163
    201511
    Total4512

    International goals

    Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.
    Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
    1. 9 June 2012 MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA  Argentina
    2–2
    3–4
    		Friendly
    2. 10 September 2012 Estádio do Arruda, Recife, Brazil  China PR
    8–0
    8–0
    		Friendly
    3. 11 October 2012 Swedbank Stadion, Malmö, Sweden  Iraq
    1–0
    6–0
    		Friendly
    4.
    2–0
    5. 21 March 2013 Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland  Italy
    2–0
    2–2
    		Friendly
    6. 9 June 2013 Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre, Brazil  France
    1–0
    3–0
    		Friendly
    7. 12 October 2013 Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea  South Korea
    2–0
    2–0
    		Friendly
    8. 15 October 2013 Beijing National Stadium, Beijing, China  Zambia
    1–0
    2–0
    		Friendly
    9. 5 March 2014 Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa  South Africa
    1–0
    5–0
    		Friendly
    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

    Honours

    Club

    Internacional
    Chelsea

    Country

    Brazil

    Individual

    References

    1. ↑ "Barclays Premier League Squad Numbers 2013/14". Premier League. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Oscar treble wins thrilling final for Brazil". FIFA. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Cometh the hour, cometh the Oscar". FIFA. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
    4. ↑ "Oscar extols Colombia springboard". FIFA. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
    5. ↑ "Chelsea target Oscar is living up to Kaka comparisons". Goal.com. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
    6. ↑ Malyon, Ed (25 July 2012). "Chelsea and Tottenham target Oscar: What fans can expect from the new Kaka by South American football expert Ed Malyon". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
    7. ↑ "Chelsea’s Oscar – ‘the new Kaka’?". Hereisthecity.com. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
    8. ↑ "Oscar Signs". chelseafc.com. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
    9. ↑ "Brazil star replaces Drogba at Chelsea". Give Me Football. 7 August 2012.
    10. ↑ "Match Report: Wigan Athletic 0 Chelsea 2". Chelsea F.C. 19 August 2012.
    11. ↑ "Chelsea vs Juventus Player Ratings". Goal.com. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
    12. ↑ "Oscar thrilled with Champions League debut but disappointed not to beat Juventus". Goal.com. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
    13. ↑ "Chelsea 1–0 Stoke City: Rare Cole goal keeps Blues top". Goal. 22 September 2012.
    14. ↑ "Chelsea 3–2 Shakhtar Donetsk". ESPNFC. 7 November 2012.
    15. ↑ McNulty, Phil (5 December 2012). "Chelsea 6–1 Nordsjaelland". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
    16. ↑ "Chelsea interim manager Benitez praises Oscar's attitude following Club World Cup snub". Goal.com. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
    17. ↑ "Chelsea 8–0 Aston Villa" BBC Sport. 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
    18. ↑ "Oscar's night as Chelsea beat Sparta". UEFA. 14 February 2013.
    19. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (15 May 2013). "Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic climbs highest to sink Benfica". London: The Guardian.
    20. ↑ "DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR MATA AT AWARDS CEREMONY". Chelsea F.C. 16 May 2013.
    21. ↑ "Oscar and Frank Lampard scored first-half goals as Chelsea marked the start of Jose Mourinho's second spell as Blues manager with victory over Hull.". BBC Sport. 18 August 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
    22. ↑ "Jose's Blues stunned by Basel.". ESPNFC. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
    23. ↑ "MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 2 FULHAM 0". Chelsea FC. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
    24. ↑ "MATCH REPORT: NORWICH CITY 1 CHELSEA 3". Chelsea FC. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
    25. ↑ "MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 4 CARDIFF CITY 1". Chelsea FC. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
    26. ↑ http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3599741
    27. ↑ http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3639270
    28. ↑ "MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 6 ARSENAL 0". Chelsea F.C. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
    29. ↑ "Squad number changes". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
    30. ↑ "Oscar goal sees off Bolton Wanderers as Chelsea cruise into the last 16". The Guardian. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
    31. ↑ "Diego Costa's outstanding start to his career at Chelsea continued as he grabbed his eighth goal to help the leaders to victory against Aston Villa.". BBC Sport. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
    32. ↑ "Chelsea: Oscar commits to Premier League club until 2019". BBC Sport. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
    33. ↑ Rawlings, Owen (17 January 2015). "Swansea 0-5 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
    34. ↑ "Brazil name strong Olympic squad for London 2012". BBC Sport. 5 July 2012.
    35. ↑ "Brazil beats Egypt 3–2 in men's soccer". Associated Press. 27 July 2012.
    36. ↑ "Brazil 3–2 Egypt: Neymar and Rafael on target as Samba Boys edge five-goal thriller". Goal.com. 27 July 2012.
    37. ↑ "Brazil 3–1 Belarus: Neymar dazzles to send Selecao through to Olympics quarter-finals". Goal.com. 29 July 2012.
    38. ↑ "Brazil 3–0 South Korea: Leandro Damiao at the double as impressive Selecao cruises into Olympics final". Yahoo Sports. 7 August 2012.
    39. ↑ "Chelsea sign Brazilian midfielder Oscar on five-year deal". BBC Sport. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
    40. ↑ "Ganso the fallen star". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
    41. ↑ Dayaratna, Arnal (10 June 2012). "Messi Hat Trick Fires Argentina to 4–3 Victory Over Brazil.". Huffington Post. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
    42. ↑ "Brazil v Spain live football scores | Soccer scores and live video". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
    43. ↑ "Brazil 3–1 Croatia". BBC Sport. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
    44. ↑ "World Cup 2014: Castrol Index Top 11". FIFA.com. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
    45. ↑ Gibbs, Thom (10 July 2012). "Oscar represents a new emphasis on youth from Chelsea and is tipped to be their Mesut Ozil". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 30 September 2012.
    46. ↑ "José Mourinho tells Juan Mata to adapt after blasting Chelsea's style". The Guardian. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
    47. ↑ "What has happened to Chelsea starlet Oscar?". goal.com. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
    48. ↑ Barlow, Matt (9 December 2012). "Oscar determined to make Chelsea champions of the world after European failure". London: Daily Telegraph.
    49. ↑ "scar exclusive interview: Chelsea are under pressure but it's NOTHING compared to playing for Brazil". Mirror. 5 April 2013.
    50. ↑ Fifield, Dominic (6 April 2013). "Greek torments keeping Giorgos Karagounis outside cosy football bubble". London: Guardian.
    51. ↑ "Nasce filha do jogador Oscar da Seleção brasileira [Daughter of Brazil national team player Oscar born]". São Paulo: Globo. 5 June 2014.
    52. ↑ Oscar career statistics at Soccerbase
    53. ↑ "Oscar ESPN Stats". ESPN FC. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
    54. ↑ "Oscar Premier League Player Profile". Premier League official website. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
    55. ↑ Oscar profile at Soccerway. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
    56. ↑ Includes cup competitions such as Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana,and Recopa Sudamericana
    57. ↑ Includes cup competitions such as Club World Cup, and ,and FA Community Shield

    Notes

      External links

      Wikimedia Commons has media related to Oscar (footballer born 1991).