Remember Oscar? The talented Brazilian left Chelsea for Chinese Super League in December 2016.
Unlike many footballers who speak about 'new challenges', he was brutally honest about the reasons behind his decision.
Speaking to The Guardian back in 2017, Oscar said: "Every football player, or every person who works, wants to earn money to help their families. I came from a social background in Brazil that is very poor. We didn’t have anything.
"This is the fruit of my work and when I earn this, it is because I conquered it. China has incredible financial power and sometimes makes offers that players can’t refuse."
Did it pay off? Oscar signed a deal with Shanghai SIPG with a reported salary of €24 million per year. Two years later, he renewed his contract for an extra five years, and he was extremely lucky to do it! Here's why.
In January 2020, the Chinese government introduced a salary cap of €3 million per year for foreign players. However, since Oscar signed his deal earlier, he would still earn the same money. By the end of his current deal, the Brazilian will pocket an eye-watering €168 million.
No wonder he never went back to Europe, although he didn't rule out the return shortly after leaving the Blues.
