Spanish football has been left in mourning following the tragic death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who passed away at the age of 30 after suffering severe injuries during a Spanish second-division match against FC Andorra.
De Miguel was involved in a devastating collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during Monday’s match at Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez. The incident left the forward with serious head and chest injuries, prompting an emergency medical response and an ambulance transfer to a nearby hospital.
Although his condition was initially described as “stable but serious,” his health deteriorated on Tuesday morning. De Miguel died at approximately 7:00 GMT, sending shockwaves throughout Spanish football and prompting an outpouring of tributes from clubs, players, supporters and prominent figures in the sport.
His death has also prompted a police investigation in Spain into possible involuntary manslaughter, according to Reuters. Under Spanish law, deaths considered non-natural automatically trigger a judicial inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Fatal Collision During Stoppage Time and Video
The tragic incident occurred seven minutes into stoppage time, with Tenerife and FC Andorra locked in a 2-2 draw.
Jesus De Miguel Collision Full Video
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During the final moments of the contest, Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono rushed away from his goal and toward the center circle in an attempt to clear a long ball. As he moved to challenge for possession, his knee appeared to collide forcefully with De Miguel.
The Tenerife striker immediately collapsed onto the pitch and remained motionless.
Medical personnel rushed to his aid as players from both teams gathered around the injured forward. The atmosphere quickly turned from competitive tension to shock and concern, with several Tenerife players visibly emotional and some reportedly breaking down in tears.
The referee subsequently showed Owono a straight red card for the challenge. Given the seriousness of the situation and the emotional distress among the players, the match was abandoned.
Emergency medical staff continued treating De Miguel on the field before he was transported by ambulance to hospital.
Spanish media outlets, including Marca, reported that the striker suffered a cardiac arrest during the ambulance journey and was resuscitated by paramedics. Despite the medical team’s efforts, his condition ultimately worsened, and he could not be saved.
Owono later deactivated his Instagram account, which reportedly had more than 30,000 followers on Tuesday morning. The goalkeeper has faced an extraordinarily difficult situation following the incident, which has had a devastating impact on everyone involved.
Tenerife Pays Emotional Tribute to Fallen Striker
Tenerife released a heartbreaking statement following confirmation of De Miguel’s death, expressing profound sadness and offering condolences to his family, friends and teammates.
“Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true,” the club said.
“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.”
The club’s president, Felipe Minambres, also spoke about the emotional consequences of the tragedy, acknowledging that players and staff would need significant support to process what had happened.
“We are all feeling vulnerable and deeply saddened right now. It’s hard to even believe what has happened,” Minambres said.
He explained that the club had already begun receiving offers of assistance and would continue providing support to those affected.
Minambres particularly highlighted the importance of professional psychological assistance for the players and their partners, who must cope with the sudden loss of a teammate and friend.
“We know, especially the players and the players’ partners, that we will need support. We’ve already begun receiving offers of help today, and that support will continue.”
“We will need professional assistance, but we also need the support of all our fans, because they are likely feeling the same way we are today.”
The Tenerife president described the incident as an enormous tragedy and an unbelievable situation that the club and its supporters would struggle to comprehend.
FC Andorra Expresses Shock and Offers Support
FC Andorra, the club involved in Monday’s match, also issued a statement expressing its sorrow and extending condolences to De Miguel’s family and everyone connected with Tenerife.
The club said it was deeply affected by the tragedy and shared the pain experienced by its opponents.
Andorra confirmed that it had maintained contact with Tenerife since the incident and remained available to provide whatever assistance was necessary.
The club also acknowledged the psychological impact on its own players, coaching staff and employees.
“What has happened has had a huge emotional impact on our players, the coaching staff and everyone at FC Andorra,” the statement read.
The club said psychological support would be made available to anyone who needed it, emphasizing that nobody should have to face such difficult circumstances alone.
Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who co-owns FC Andorra, also expressed his condolences through social media.
“I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus,” Pique wrote.
De Miguel’s former club, Castellon, joined the growing list of teams paying tribute to the striker.
“It’s hard to find words when reality strikes in such an unfair way,” Castellon said.
The club extended its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, expressing its affection and solidarity during an incredibly painful period.
Messi, Mbappe and Football World Pay Tribute
The news of De Miguel’s death quickly spread beyond Spain, prompting tributes from some of the biggest names in international football.
Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami and former Barcelona forward, expressed his sadness and sent strength to the striker’s family and friends.
“There are no words. My condolences and lots of strength to all his family and friends,” Messi wrote.
Real Madrid and France international Kylian Mbappe also shared a brief but emotional message.
“Much sadness, there are no words,” Mbappe said.
La Liga president Javier Tebas expressed his condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates and the entire Tenerife organization.
“Today, we all share the terrible pain of an irreparable loss,” Tebas said.
“My deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, team-mates and the whole club.”
Tributes were also paid across Spanish football, with Real Madrid and Arsenal among the clubs honoring De Miguel with a minute’s silence.
The Spanish Football Federation announced that Tuesday’s scheduled Copa del Rey fixtures would be postponed following the tragedy.
Two first-round matches in the men’s competition had been scheduled, while Espanyol were also due to face AS Celtas in the women’s Copa de la Reina.
The decision reflected the widespread grief surrounding the incident and the profound impact De Miguel’s death had on Spanish football.
Who Was Jesus de Miguel?
Born in Madrid, Jesus de Miguel built his professional career through several Spanish clubs before establishing himself as a productive forward in the country’s lower divisions.
He began his football journey at Leganes in 2015, starting a career that would take him through eight different clubs in Spain.
His professional experience included spells with Lugo, Fuenlabrada and Internacional Madrid. He later returned to Fuenlabrada before moving on to Union Adarve, Navalcarnero and Unionistas.
Although he did not initially attract the same attention as Spain’s biggest football stars, De Miguel gradually developed a reputation as a reliable goalscorer.
His breakthrough came during his time at Castellon, where he played a significant role in the club’s successful promotion campaign.
After joining Castellon in 2023, De Miguel scored 16 goals as the team secured promotion to Spain’s second division the following year.
His performances demonstrated his attacking ability and helped establish him as an important player in Spanish professional football.
In 2025, he signed a three-year contract with Tenerife, beginning a new chapter in his career.
He quickly became an important attacking option for the club, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances.
His contributions made him a valuable member of the squad, and his death represents an immeasurable loss for Tenerife and everyone who knew him.
De Miguel is survived by his daughter, Carla de Miguel Fernandez, who was born in 2025.
A Tragedy That Has Left Spanish Football in Mourning
The death of Jesus de Miguel has become one of the most heartbreaking moments in Spanish football, highlighting how quickly a sporting event can turn into an unimaginable tragedy.
What began as a competitive second-division match ended with the loss of a young professional footballer, leaving two clubs, their supporters and the wider football community struggling to process the events.
The police investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision and the events that followed. However, the judicial inquiry should be distinguished from any conclusion about criminal responsibility, which has not been established.
For Tenerife, FC Andorra and the people closest to De Miguel, the immediate priority remains supporting his family and helping those affected cope with the devastating loss.
At just 30 years old, De Miguel had a promising career, a place in professional football and a young daughter. His journey through Spanish football reflected years of dedication, hard work and determination.
His 11 goals for Tenerife and his contribution to Castellon’s promotion will remain part of his footballing legacy.
But beyond the statistics, clubs and achievements, he will be remembered as a teammate, a friend, a father and a person whose life ended far too soon.
As tributes continue to arrive from across the football world, one message has been repeated by players, clubs and supporters alike: there are no words to describe such a loss.
Rest in peace, Jesus de Miguel.