Oscar may leave Shanghai Port's million-dollar salary for a chance in MLS

Six years. $22 million a year. A career draped in trophies and a life of luxury that only a select few get to experience in China. Oscar has lived this reality for a while now, but at 32, it looks like even the longest fairy tales have to come to an end.

The Brazilian midfielder, once one of the brightest prospects in the soccer world, now stands at a crossroads. This time, it's not just about money—it's about legacy, identity, and ambition. Stay in China, where Shanghai Port is ready to throw even more cash his way, or head to Major League Soccer (MLS), a growing league that offers fresh air both on and off the pitch?

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On one hand, there’s the financial stability China keeps offering him. Oscar's already pocketing nearly $2 million a month. Yeah, you heard that right—two million per month! Plus, Shanghai Port seems eager not only to keep him on the roster but to turn his image into a marketing powerhouse over there. But don’t be fooled—it’s not all about the cash. Well, not entirely. What’s really at stake here is that competitive fire inside Oscar, suddenly reignited. The same fire that made him shine at Internacional, earn a big-money move to Chelsea, and become a global star.

Let’s be real, MLS doesn’t have the same financial glamour as the Chinese Super League, but it does offer something money can’t buy: athletic relevance, the chance to reconnect with the world of soccer in a more competitive environment, and most importantly, personal freedom.

Oscar isn’t just any player. He’s got that rare ability to change the game with one touch, a single vision, or a perfect pass. But that talent is hidden right now—buried under a mountain of Chinese cash. If he’s not careful, he might end up fading into obscurity in a league that’s far from competitive. It’s a cruel irony: the more money he makes, the less people talk about him. He’s making a jaw-dropping salary to live in a Chinese bubble. And Oscar seems to know it. After all, he’s already expressed his desire to leave China and start fresh in the U.S. The problem? We still don’t know which MLS club would scoop him up. Sure, MLS isn’t the Premier League, but it’s gaining popularity and competitiveness. More than that, it’s a platform where players can reinvent themselves.

But what’s really at stake here, more than contracts or numbers, is Oscar’s legacy. When we look back at soccer history, we don’t remember the greats for the size of their bank accounts but for the impact they left on the game. If Oscar extends his contract in China, does he risk being forgotten outside of that alternate Chinese reality? Is he willing to be remembered as the guy who traded a promising career for Chinese money, or will he come back into the spotlight in a place like MLS, even if it’s less lucrative?

There’s another factor playing with his mind. We live in a time where a player's image extends far beyond the field. No doubt, Shanghai Port’s desperation to offer him a raise on a salary that’s already through the roof comes from Oscar’s importance to China’s sportswashing efforts. Shanghai Port is just the middleman, “buying” Oscar’s image to use it for painting a version of China that doesn’t quite match reality, through the lens of soccer. Oscar has become a symbol—a luxury commodity that China doesn’t want to lose. That’s why he’s making the kind of money he does, and that would be different in the U.S. So, the question is, does Oscar really want to keep being a pawn in China’s propaganda machine during the twilight of his career?

According to his reps, Oscar’s leaning toward leaving China and is eager to embrace life in the U.S. Will it actually happen? No one can say for sure, but the chances are pretty solid. Over time, what seemed like a no-brainer for someone seeking financial independence without worrying about ethics and human rights starts to lose its appeal when you realize there’s a lot more at stake than just money.