Spanish football has been thrown into mourning following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who passed away on Tuesday, November 3, aged 30, after suffering a cardiac arrest following a collision during a league match against FC Andorra.
The tragic incident occurred during the closing stages of Monday’s Spanish second-division encounter at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez, where Tenerife were playing out a 2-2 draw against Andorra.
De Miguel was challenging for a loose ball around the midfield area when Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono rushed out of his goal in an attempt to clear the ball. The two players collided, with the goalkeeper’s knee striking the Tenerife forward in the chest.
The impact left De Miguel motionless on the pitch, immediately raising concerns among players from both teams. Footballers quickly signalled for medical assistance as the match officials and medical personnel rushed to attend to the injured striker.
The situation was visibly distressing, with players from both sides appearing shaken as medical staff worked to provide emergency treatment on the pitch.
De Miguel was eventually taken away by ambulance to the University Hospital of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for urgent medical attention.
Reports from Spain indicated that the striker suffered a cardiac arrest following the collision and was resuscitated by medical personnel before being admitted to the intensive care unit.
The match was subsequently abandoned in the 108th minute, with the score tied at 2-2. Owono was shown a straight red card following the challenge.
Tenerife initially provided an update confirming that their player had been hospitalised and was receiving treatment. Although his condition was initially described as stable despite the severity of the incident, the club later reported a deterioration in his neurological condition.
Hopes of a recovery were shattered on Tuesday morning when Tenerife confirmed that the forward had died at 8:00 a.m. local time.
In an emotional statement, the Spanish club expressed its profound sadness over the loss, admitting that the news had left everyone associated with the team devastated.
The club said it stood firmly with De Miguel’s family, loved ones, teammates and supporters during the difficult period.
His family also expressed gratitude for the numerous messages of support and sympathy received following the incident, while appealing for privacy as they come to terms with the painful loss.
The announcement has triggered an outpouring of tributes across the football community, with clubs, players and supporters expressing their condolences.
FC Andorra, whose goalkeeper was involved in the collision, also issued a heartfelt message mourning the Tenerife forward.
The club expressed its deepest sympathy to De Miguel’s family, teammates, friends and everyone connected with Tenerife.
Spanish football giants Real Madrid and Barcelona were also among the clubs that paid tribute to the late striker, sending messages of condolence and solidarity to his family and the Tenerife community.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation also responded to the tragedy by postponing all matches scheduled for Tuesday, including fixtures in the Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina, as a mark of respect.
The federation further cancelled the planned presentation of Spain’s Under-21 international fixture against Japan.
Beyond the immediate shock surrounding his death, De Miguel’s passing has brought attention to the human side of football and the risks players face even during routine challenges for possession.
The incident serves as a painful reminder that behind every match, result and competition are individuals whose lives extend far beyond the football pitch.
For Tenerife, the loss is particularly devastating, coming at a time when the club was relying on the forward as part of its attacking setup.
De Miguel joined Tenerife ahead of the 2025-26 season after leaving Castellon, where he had enjoyed an impressive spell.
He played an important role in Castellon’s promotion to Spain’s second division, scoring 16 goals during the campaign before securing his move to Tenerife.
His contribution continued with the Canary Islands club, where he scored 11 goals in 29 appearances during the previous season.
Born in Madrid in 1996, De Miguel began his football career with Leganes B in 2015 and went on to feature for several Spanish clubs, including Lugo, Fuenlabrada, Internacional Madrid, Union Adarve, Navalcarnero, Unionistas and Castellon.
His journey through Spanish football reflected years of dedication and determination as he worked his way through the country’s competitive lower divisions before establishing himself at a higher level.
At 30, he was still building his professional career, making his sudden death even more difficult for those who knew him and followed his journey.
The football world has continued to rally around Tenerife and the bereaved family, with messages of sympathy highlighting the impact the tragedy has had across the sport.
While the result of Monday’s encounter will eventually fade from memory, the circumstances surrounding the match will remain deeply painful for the two clubs and everyone who witnessed the incident.
For his teammates, the immediate priority will be coming to terms with the loss of a colleague with whom they shared the dressing room and the demands of professional football.
As tributes continue to pour in, Jesus de Miguel will be remembered not only for his contribution on the pitch but also for the football journey that took him through several Spanish clubs before his time at Tenerife.
His death has left a painful void in Spanish football, with the thoughts of the sporting community firmly with his family, friends, teammates and everyone connected with CD Tenerife.
May Jesus de Miguel rest in peace.
