Spanish football is mourning the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, who died on Tuesday after suffering serious head and chest injuries during a match against FC Andorra.
The 30-year-old was injured during Monday’s Spanish second-division encounter at Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez following a heavy collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
The incident occurred seven minutes into stoppage time, with the match level at 2-2. Owono ran towards the centre circle to clear a long ball when his knee appeared to collide with De Miguel.
The striker remained motionless on the pitch as medical personnel rushed to assist him before he was taken by ambulance to hospital.
Owono was shown a straight red card for the challenge, while the referee subsequently abandoned the match.
De Miguel’s condition was initially described as “stable but serious” on Monday. However, his health deteriorated on Tuesday morning, and he died at 07:00 GMT.
According to Reuters, Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter following his death. Under Spanish law, a death deemed non-natural automatically triggers a judicial inquiry.
Tenerife expressed its devastation in a statement, paying tribute to the striker and offering condolences to his family and loved ones.
“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.”
Spanish media, including Marca, reported that De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital and was resuscitated by paramedics in the ambulance.
Tenerife president Felipe Minambres said the tragedy had deeply affected the club, adding that players and their families would need professional support to cope with the loss.
“We are all feeling vulnerable and deeply saddened right now. It’s hard to even believe what has happened,” Minambres said.
He added that the club had already begun receiving offers of assistance and would continue supporting players and staff through the difficult period.
FC Andorra also issued a statement expressing shock and extending condolences to De Miguel’s family, Tenerife and everyone close to him.
The club said the incident had taken a significant emotional toll on its players, coaching staff and employees, confirming that psychological support was being made available to those who needed it.
Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who co-owns FC Andorra, paid tribute to the striker, saying: “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus.”
De Miguel’s former club Castellon, La Liga president Javier Tebas and several prominent footballers, including Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, also expressed their condolences.
The Spanish football federation announced that Tuesday’s scheduled Spanish Cup fixtures had been postponed following the striker’s death.
A career across Spanish football
Born in Madrid, De Miguel began his professional career at Leganes in 2015 and went on to represent eight clubs in Spain.
His career included spells at Lugo, Fuenlabrada, Internacional Madrid, Union Adarve, Navalcarnero, Unionistas and Castellon.
He joined Castellon in 2023 and scored 16 goals as the club secured promotion to Spain’s second division the following year.
In 2025, he signed a three-year deal with Tenerife, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances for the club.
De Miguel is survived by his daughter, Carla de Miguel Fernandez, who was born in 2025.
His death has left the Spanish football community in mourning, with tributes continuing to pour in for the striker.