It seems like he has enjoyed his time there. He is easily his teams best player and his family is well settelled with a huge weekly wage, good for him

As much as I as I think Oscar to China was a poor career move honestly gotta respect him sticking it out there for as long as he has

Chelsea came to St. Louis Missouri for a pre season game. Oscar stayed behind for at least an hour to sign autographs

Everything I hear about Oscar basically makes him seem like a really great guy regardless of what fans personally think of his career decisions. He’s grafted for his club and earned the respect of his team mates even though he could easily have phoned it in as many others who went to China have. He’s provided a great life for his immediate and extended family which would have been unimaginable when he was a child, and if you believe what he says he’s never lost his ambition to compete at the top level. I hope the rest of his career shapes out however he wants it honestly, if that’s a swan song couple of years at a European giant, a triumphant return to Brazil or quietly going about his business in China, best of luck to him.

Oscar is a nice guy. I lived in china and taught his children football (worked for an academy in shanghai ) and he would often come watch the sessions. He is such a down to earth dude.

My conclusion is that Oscar is just a professional football player, as in his attitude is very professional. Can't blame him for being honest, transparent, and hard-working throughout his career.

To be honest, as a Brazilian, when a player leaves his childhood club here to go play in Europe, it doesn't really feel that different from him going to Asia, the point of leaving Brazil is always going to be money. For most Brazilians, or South Americans in general, European football is not really that important so it isn't morally condemnable to leave Europe for Asia or the MLS.

I do think it's a shame that he left the Prem but at the end of the day it's a job. I can't imagine going from extreme poverty to incredible riches.

Oscar put his family first then himself...a move i would do myself...thats called unselfish act

I never disrespected Oscar but this video has made me truly respect him. He is open and honest.

The Saudi league is basically built to serve only a few big clubs, similar to CSL. In China, only a few true big clubs include Beijing Guoan, Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua. In Saudi Arabia, they are Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad Jeddah and Al-Nassr. Without any of them, they will fold.

Mate just want to say that your analysis of world football is unlike any other football channel on youtube, and that doesn't go unnoticed. You cover a lot of the more "underground" aspects of football in your own unique style, and I appreciate that a lot. Keep up the good work!

Good for him! Shanghai is amazing. I met my wife there in 2014, I am from Mexico and she is Swedish. It is a fantastic city home of cherished memories of mine. I bet he is very happy

Great video. I love the way you cover the gray areas like family dynamics. You mentioned that players from some regions aren’t just supporting themselves but extended families too. That reminded me of NFL offensive lineman Tyron Smith being forced to get a restraining order against his mother and siblings because they were shaking him down for money. Also bringing up Oscar’s current domestic life is also key. His football career won’t last forever and a stable relationship with his spouse and children is key to transitioning to life after football. I’m a retiree. When I look back on how I viewed my working career, my attitude about it was much different at the beginning than it was at the end. You start out life with potential but most of us never fully meet that potential. Still we navigate our way through life enduring the disappointments and savoring the moments of triumphs and joy. Oscar tasted triumph with Chelsea and has become fabulously wealthy in China. Is he going to reach his full potential as a footballer? That seems unlikely. He is fortunate to have a stable and loving family. When his career is over, he still has half his life to live. Based on the info in this video, it appears he has the tools to make that life a happy one. I hope Oscar’s few remaining years as a footballer are successful and gratifying for him. I hope his life after football is full of joy and happiness.

Totally agree that Oscar would've gone from strength to strength had he stayed with us. He was basically Mount with 10x the technical skill, quality player who'd still do a job in the PL today even if it was in a deeper role. I'd take him back at Chelsea in a heartbeat.

I mean being a professional athlete is a job. (A privilege to have a job like that but still a job nonetheless) Not every player cares about legacy. Some just want to get paid and chill/play

His resemblance to Kaka is uncanny he looks like that he could be a younger brother of his

Ironically... the sad situation is also going on in Mexico, where the people are so enraged after Mexico's failure in 2022 World Cup and massive corruption there, plus Mexican clubs are accused of favouring foreigners. There are calls for the Mexican federation to disband and to be reformed so they can let players go abroad. They are literally putting little trust on the current Mexican football state.

I can respect Oscar for saying the move is about the money. He dressed it up with nice words but that's what he meant. At least he admitted it unlike a lot of other athletes.

Keep in mind, in poorer countries family doesn't just refer to the nuclear family but the extended family as pooling resources is a necessity to survive so Oscar might be referring to far more ppl than you think when he said he wants to provide for his family

Oscar was the only player, I wished to come back to Europe..

Honestly I had forgotten that Oscar even existed as a footballer I can remember that he had a spell at Chelsea but that's about it

Why is the Saudi Pro League not really being linked to any big name players now, and certainly haven't signed any in this window? Was it just a final push for World Cup hosting rights? So that the players they had signed to tweet about how good it would be, so as to grow support amongst the people, particularly on social media who are the most vocal and easily influenced?

*Shanghai Port supporter check!* 上海海港 supporters hit the 👍

The rate at which China dropped football interests and the Chinese owners dropped any interest in club ownership is pretty damning. Basically the equivalent of one if your kids being bored of a Christmas toy by the 29th December

I think people struggle to put footballers' lives and careers in perspective somewhat. Imagine how fucking cool it'd be for anyone to be able to work in a foreign country and immerse yourself in the culture courtesy of a job that is relatively easy given your talents and is paying you enough that you've been able to lift not just yourself but your family and friends our of generational poverty. You'd snap their fucking hand off and no one would question you for it. "Oh he could have worked at PWC and been one of the best accountants of his generation if only he hadn't wasted himself out there on that higher-paying, easier job while discovering a new country."

As a Brazilian for us doesn’t make much difference, morally speaking, if a Brazilian player leaves to play in Asia or Europe since the motivation will be money. Brazilian league is pretty good, pays well so and is highly disputed unlike European leagues. All players leave for money or the chance to try and win FIFA the best. The one difference is leaving for Middle East countries because in Brazil is seen as morally dubious to play for counties like Saudi Arabia or Qatar. Europe, China or even MLS are seen as fair foreign leagues so we don’t really see much of a big deal.

All of this makes him sound like a well-adjusted professional footballer I hope that is the case .

I still remember that great goal he scored against Juventus.

As a chelsea fan I remember when people expected the next kaka then randomly left chelsea in his and chelseas club prime

A video about Iranian football's upcoming collapse please. We have one of the best teams in Asia, our golden generation, and is ranked 21st in the world with huge passion from the population. Yet the Islamic republic mismanaged everything, resulted in our failure to outperform in the World Cup, our inability to win an Asian Cup since 1976 and widespread corruption.

Oscar is a man who knows what he wants

As a foreigner living in asia for 12 years, the part about his life in Shanghai felt almost personal and made me a bit proud of his life choices.

Great video, and I’m happy for Oscar. Hopefully he’ll get his chance back in the Brazil squad.

Give Oscar credit, he left Chelsea at 25, he's still there, making good money, never complained (take note Henderson) and has stayed.

Just seems like a nice guy thats focused on his family.

You have forgotten veiga that moved at the age of 21

Gabri Veiga was publicly criticised in a similar manner, including Toni Kroos publicly calling him embarrassing

Alfie, I'd love to hear you talk about the history of international B teams. Cheers

In all of his interviews, oscar sounds so level headed and down to earth, i can do nothing but respect it, especially taking his background and football transfer shenanigans into account

As a Chelsea fan, I can't help but be proud of Oscar He made some good choices in life God bless him

Hate this money argument. What other job would you be bashed for moving to another company, with a easier workload for a lot more money. Fair play to any player that does it, I would do the same.

10:10 I’m Brazilian. When a Brazilian footballer talks about “supporting their family”, it’s not the “nuclear family”. It’s their entire extended families and friends and probably more people. So yeah, these players are seen as the cash cows of probably a few dozen people for their entire childhood and professional careers. (Edit: I see you covered this very well in the video. I’d say it’s not just a stereotype, it’s the reality of most if not all Brazilian players of at least moderate financial success)

I respect his decision when he moved from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG and spoke honestly about the reason of the moving. Also he proved to be productive there helping his club to be champion of the league twice although his limitation of play during 2019 - 2022 because corona pandemic and unsuccessful loan move to Sao Paolo. I hope he can bring Shanghai Port FC to the AFC Champions League Final this year.

Very deep and interesting research.

Brilliant video as always 👋

I’ve learned a lot with this video, it was really good

Having just watched players rebound back from the Saudi Arabian league, I was curious if there was anyone left in China. Thank you for putting in the research to answer that question for me. He seems happy there, I think he made the best decision for him and his family.

Quick disclaimer: most brazilian with japanese heritages don't have a great connection with their family in Japan because the immigration happened mostly in the early 1900s, and a young women like his wife is probably third or fourth generation. Oscar was already great in Brazil despite playing in a different role (used to play as a winger) and helped Internacional (the club I support) in winning our second libertadores. Cheers

A video about Italian football crisis and their North Korea-like mentality of conservatism please? Italy today has no real football star, their last World Cup was in Brazil, their coaching system is abysmal (with only Carlo Ancelotti the most decent and revered one) and the Serie A has become increasingly filled with outdated tactics. While Spain, Portugal and France have moved forward, Italy is moving backward and I can feel confident that Luciano Spalletti will be sacked as coach of Italy sooner or later and that Italy will have to accept that they need a foreign manager rather than staying North Korean.

Bro I’ve heard more about Oscar still in China than about him in the last 8 years. It’s sad to see him basically become a nobody that is only heard through his downfall, considering how much talent he had.😢😢😢

This video made me gain so much more respect for Oscar as a man. His professionalism and having his priorities in order are very admirable

Henderson left Liverpool (best team in England) joined the 7th best Saudi side out of passion

He seems like a pretty good guy tbh! His team respects him for his work ethic which is cool to hear. And since his family are settled in Shanghai now, it's probably why he's stayed there so long

Will Alfie ever make a video about Kazakhstan's role in the rise of sportswashing? Its role as the 21st century's first sportswashing state has since been copied by Russia, Azerbaijan, China, Qatar and even Saudi Arabia, yet as they thought their Euro 2024 qualifying was the peak of their upcoming success, Kazakhstani football is now in a downhill, with Premier League is shamble as Kazakh clubs have become feeders to FC Astana that is run by the authoritarian regime using oil from Caspian Sea, youth football is falling, no major Kazakhstani players made impact in UEFA, but its inability to accept its sportswashing failure has cost Kazakhstan's reputation, whereas at the same time, Europe didn't want anything with them since the Russian invasion of Ukraine forced Europe to reconsider business with sportswashing entities, hence why Kazakhstan is pivoting football back to Asia and has broadcasted the Asian Cup 2023, the first time ever Asian Cup was broadcasted in Kazakhstan. It could have some decent successes had Kazakhstan stayed in AFC (which cares nothing about human rights).

Hey Alfie, Can you make a video about Scarborough Athletic, they went extinct 15 years ago and now they are third in the National league north and are close to reaching the football league once again, they are one of the fastest rising clubs in non league and were once a prominent league 2 club

Great video as always but just wanna point out the dude photo bombing at 27:53 😂

great video, hopefully there is one in the work on Klopp given his confirmed departure from Liverpool

Could you please make a video about South Korean football? South Korean football clubs have won the most AFC Champions League titles in total despite not having obscene amount of capital like Saudi or Chinese teams, yet the K League is rarely discussed when talking about Asian football, probably because they cannot afford to make globally recognized marquee signings like J League's Iniesta and Podolski or countless Saudi Arabia-bound stars. When it comes to the national team, Korean FA has been run mostly by incompetent business conglomerate owners ("chaebols") and flawed ex-players in between (leading to the controversial hiring of Jurgen Klinsmann, who is currently making a laughing stock out of the team in the Asian Cup). I'm sure there are a lot to talk about.

Oscar was a real baller him and hazard was a real hazard at Chelsea and am a united fan hopes he returns to Europe some day i knw we can still play in a pl team love the video 🤙🏾

Day (lost count +57): The despicable despotic president of Bangladesh Football Federation

"At least Tevez had a good time in Disneyland" what a way to end the video 😄

Thing that gets me about these conversations is that they always revolve around the working class sport of football when the crazy money in golf and tennis etc is not even in the talk. If you look at the richest sports people, the golfers and tennis players are always up there. But where is the same outrage in the press?

Can you make a video about Iraqi football? Iraq's shock 2-1 win over Japan in the Asian Cup 2023 surprised everybody and in particular, we Swedes (I am Chechen-Swede) came to realise just how reliant Iraq is on our talents despite our smaller population (10 to 35 mil.). Yet Iraqi football is one of the most corrupt and mismanaged in Asia, despite its population's huge passion, which is absurd when compared to Sweden, what has plagued Iraqi football, and can they ever recover.

Oscar had won 48caps a semi WC hardest leauge n 2 biggest club comps by 25. Went for generational wealth he's been honest. N atleast he's been there best player shld obv been in brasil squad longer tho.

Id love to see a video on the meteoric and surprising rise of ipswich town

Ultimately, why is Oscar still there? Because his a fundementally nice bloke, isn't going to kick up a stink to try and force his way out, is being paid as well as he would anywhere else in the world and enjoys his life there. Alot of people get far to romantic about football at times. His good so he has to love the game and go for the biggest trophies and tralala. Its a job. Especially for those from poor backgrounds, they start playing football because its a way out of poverty, a way to make money. They aren't playing football because they thought, well I could be a lawyer but i really love this football thing and I want to make a crack at it. Its because its the only way they will ever make something of themselves because the education isn't there to be anything else, and even if it was, you don't have the connections to get into those places. The man is clearly happy. His family are happy. That all that really matters.

Is Oscar a superstar? He did win the PL though...

From your previous video about people swinging between overrated and underrated. Can you do 7 players that swing between both the most

You said Teixeira almost perfectly 👌

Man watching Oscar play for both Chelsea and Brazil in his youngest years I was around 10-13 years old watching him, I’m now 20, a legend of the game he could’ve been, definitely a Chelsea legend for his accomplishments, all the best to him and hopefully can return to Europe or even Brazil for one last dance. 🙏🏽 I feel a move to the MLS would suit him fairly well

Loved this video!! But still requesting another video focusing on the match fixing scandal in China that landed former national team manager and FA president in prison, and why the Chinese national team is so terrible, failing to score even a single goal in the Asian Cup and getting eliminated in the group stage behind Tajikistan

A football news page is saying Carragher was vocal about Oscar China move but quite about Saudi Arabia moves. Carragher was nice about Henderson moving to SAUDI Arabia

You should a make a video on blocking the keeper and the impact of letting those decisions go

this is like the smallest possible nitpick, but it's very unlikely his wife has any family in Japan. Most Japanese Brazilian's ancestors moved in the early 20th century

Oscar was KDB before KDB u frgt how Amazing he was

Your videos are always worth listening to. I just wish they were a little shorter.. With a little bit of tighter writing and editing I would be watching more videos for sure. Still commend you for your actual journalism and obvious passion.

I think this story shows how football fans and some old timers can be fickle, jealous and shortsighted. If he wanted to go China to make more money and secure his family's life he did what he had to do and I applaud him. The name of the job is professional footballer so if they paid more and had a project that suited him I'm happy for him. He's still one of the most well paid footballers in the world and I'm sure if he decides to come back to Europe he will find something. Good luck Oscar!

I'm an English teacher living and working in Vietnam. However, I've been fortunate enough to teach in a number of different countries. It's not a cool opinion, but quality of life in China - provided you have a bit of money - is pretty great. The man's paid ridiculous money and is probably treated like a God there.

Him being at Shanghai also probably did huge benefits for his body too. Recent professions in the highest European clubs now seem to have to literally torture their own bodies to play at the highest level now, and as entertaining it is to watch it's a depression thought. But him having a good time playing football, being paid well, and not really lying about his move I kinda respect him in hindsight.

The problem, however, is China can't abandon their football project. Any sign of giving up will be severely treated as a failure, and Xi Jinping's ambitions meant he can't abandon it. So in the future, he will want it to be kickstarted again, but with a more stable structure. I can't see China giving it up whatsoever, plus FIFA also realises this and is not in the mood to allow China to fail.

I loved Oscar when he was playing for Chelsea. Conte never used to like Oscar because before Conte came to Chelsea Oscar was a regular starter as an attacking force with Lampard and Essien and all of a sudden Conte decided to bench him. So as a Chelsea supporter from 1967 until now I supported Oscar when he decided to leave Chelsea but honestly I would have liked him to stay at Chelsea. I'm thankful that his achievements has come through for him that he can look forward to seeing that his family are well taken care of. I salute you my brother

3:21 omggg JDT made a Cameo on your channel!! My Team 🥲❤

Can't deny he is trying his best, loyal and everything

The Saudi League will follow the Chinese Super League within the next 5 years.

Ok, you have to admit the part about him and his family living in China and all of them but him speaking Chinese is kinda adorable.

Honestly I would much rather live in China than Saudi Arabia … they actually have nice cities and an actual fans of the sport … plus the nba goes there sometimes

I started following Chelsea and Brazil for Oscar. People loved Brazil for Neymar. I loved them for Oscar. He played so beautifully it was a art.

Alfie, FYI there is no "shanghai" in the chinese super league. There is Shanghai Dongya(East Asia)/SIPG/Port and there is Shanghai Shenhua(lit. Shanghainese Flower). Oscar plays for the former, who were set up by a former head coach of the latter as an academy team. They produced half of the chinese national team in that generation and got bought out. Shanghai Shenhua are far better supported and were established as the city team before china opened up. They have generally been horribly mismanaged.

Because Oscar saw in China things that were better for his family and life style : - Generally more safe , you see how even in UK many players houses are being rob with guns and on daylight or when they are playing a game - Not just there , in many parts of Europe as well and of course South America. - Also it has a very good academic education system that is been taught in English and also translators everywhere for him - In addition to that , his family and him had been there for pretty much almost 10 years , it’s pretty much his home. - On the “sporting wise” he does not feel the huge stress on competing every single week for instant results , he just plays , gets his money and goes back home. Does not need to deal with angry fans - Plus , people are saying that “Saudi leagues pays more and this and that” , a lot of players are leaving there cuz the way how they live there clashes a lot from us. China you can still live the way you want and it open doors for a lot of more “international things inside” - Oh and in China he does not need to worry on someone recognizing him , pretty much everyone in China lives in their own world , its pretty much like USA and Canada

Oscar is by far my favorite player in terms of honesty and personality, honestly telling that he is there for the money but still performing 100% and taking good care of his family.

Honest, decent man moves across the world for work, thinking money will be the only thing he gets from it - ends up loving every minute and finding his natural home.

Genuinely seems like a good dude

The situation reminds me of the Mr Krabs "All of you, get out! Except you, you stay🤡" meme

I think people were harsher on Oscar because he was seen as a really high potential player in the future ,i am not saying Ruben Neves isnt a good player ,but i dont think people talked about him at Wolves with the same expectations as they did when Oscar was playing in the Premier League .

What would you say should be the focus of states trying to improve the quality and commercial aspect of their league since this short term investment in players shows no real medium-long term gain

As a Shanghaiese football fan I really like this video，especially that you have mentioned Carlos Tevez who was hated by almost everyone in this city

#thepeopleschannel a video on the Bangladesh premier league and the rise of Bashundhara kings would be good A team who went into the top flight after promotion and won the last four league titles now! Are they the next Newcastle? Are they a team to keep a eye on next few years? Thanks Alfie 😊

It's funny to see europeans incensed by the choice of going overseas only for the money. Most Brazilians (and i think Argentinians) went to europe also only for the money. If you watch what Bebeto, Romario and other superstars said about their time in Europe you can easily get this. Actually most Brazilian footballers despised European football right until the 2000's. Only after an incredible marketing campaign we started to watch European football.

In Brazil even in his youth when he had his legal troubles with São Paulo and Internacional and all that. He always had a reputation as an amazing player; back then it was the time when Kaká was at his prime, and everyone thought of Oscar as the future of Brazilian football, he was more regarded and people expected more of him than they expected of Neymar as a matter of fact, one example of that is that in their early years the one who had the Number 10 in the national squad was Oscar. But he also had a reputation of football was a job, if he could do anything else he would do that and not play, he was doing that because he was that good and it would pay well, in the end he wanted to be rich and not the best ; anyway his heart wasn’t in it because of the love in the game. That was his reputation in Brazil even from his time before going pro. But he was so good. Just take a look at the U20 Finals of the 2011 WC Brazil X Portugal. The game that he played