Spanish football is in mourning following the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, who passed away aged 30 after suffering a fatal on-field injury during a second-division match against FC Andorra on Monday. De Miguel sustained head and chest injuries following a heavy collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who was sent off for the challenge.
The tragic collision took place seven minutes into stoppage time while the teams were tied at 2-2.
Owono charged toward the centre circle to clear a long ball, in the process colliding with De Miguel.
The striker lay motionless on the pitch while receiving emergency medical care before being transported by ambulance from Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez to the hospital. Distressed by the severity of the incident, several of De Miguel’s team-mates were seen in tears before the referee issued a straight red card to Owono and abandoned the match.
Spanish news outlets, including Marca, reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest while inside the ambulance and was resuscitated by paramedics en route to the hospital. Although his condition was initially listed as ‘stable but serious’ on Monday, his health rapidly declined on Tuesday morning, leading to his death at 07:00 GMT. Owono, who had over 30,000 followers on Instagram on Tuesday morning, has since deactivated his social media account.
In a deeply emotional statement, CD Tenerife expressed their sorrow: “Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda. There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can lessen this overwhelming sadness. We stand with his grieving family, with his loved ones, with all of Tenerife who mourn this cruel loss today.”
Tributes from Across the Football World
- FC Andorra“With broken hearts and devastated, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his team-mates, friends, and to CD Tenerife.”
- Gerard Pique (Andorra co-owner)“I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus.”
- CD Castellon“It’s hard to find words when reality strikes in such an unfair way. We join with all our affection in the grief of his family and loved ones, whom we embrace in these terribly difficult moments and to whom we extend our most heartfelt condolences.”
- Javier Tebas (La Liga President)“Today, we all share the terrible pain of an irreparable loss. My deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, team-mates and the whole club.”
- Kylian Mbappe“Much sadness, there are no words.”
- Lionel Messi“There are no words. My condolences and lots of strength to all his family and friends.”
Following the news of De Miguel’s passing, the Spanish football federation announced the postponement of Tuesday’s Spanish Cup fixtures. The decision affected two scheduled first-round matches in the men’s Copa del Rey, alongside Espanyol’s fixture against AS Celtas in the women’s Copa del Reina. Major European clubs also paid tribute, with both Real Madrid and Arsenal observing a minute’s silence before their respective training sessions on Tuesday morning.
A Career Profile Across Spanish Football
Born in Madrid, De Miguel began his professional career at Leganes in 2015 before featuring for eight different clubs across Spain. His journey through the lower divisions included stints at Lugo Fuenlabrada, Internacional Madrid, Union Adarve, Navalcarnero, and Unionistas.
In 2023, the forward signed with Castellon, scoring 16 goals to help propel the club to promotion into Spain’s second division a year later. Moving to Tenerife on a three-year contract in 2025, De Miguel maintained his goalscoring form by netting 11 goals in 29 appearances for the club. De Miguel is survived by his daughter, Carla de Miguel Fernandez, who was born in 2025.
- A lower-league player with an eye for goal.
- The Spaniard joined Tenerife on a three-year deal in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for the side.
