Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel has died following a collision during a Segunda División match.
The 30-year-old striker for CD Teneriffa sustained fatal injuries after an incident with the opposing goalkeeper during stoppage time, Transfermarkt reported.
De Miguel was involved in a collision with Jesús Owono, the goalkeeper for FC Andorra, during the closing moments of Teneriffa’s home game on Monday. The impact caused severe chest trauma and a cardiac arrest. He was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following morning, according to the club and multiple news outlets.
Club Pays Emotional Tribute
CD Teneriffa held a memorial service for de Miguel at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium on Saturday evening. The event, attended by players, fans, and dignitaries, featured a mass and emotional tributes. At the center of the pitch, a floral arrangement and a No. 9 jersey marked the spot where the fatal collision occurred.
Team captain Enric Gallego delivered a eulogy that was repeatedly interrupted by tears. He addressed de Miguel’s partner, María, and their young daughter, Carla, directly. “Demi, you will always be one of us,” Gallego said, his voice breaking.
“It is deeply unjust to speak of you in the past tense. Your empathy, your humility, your kindness, and especially your joy for life are things we will remember for our entire lives.”
The club’s majority shareholder, Rayco Garcia, described the day as “the worst of my life.” He announced that the club would financially support de Miguel’s daughter until her 18th birthday to ensure she “wants for nothing.” An online fundraiser initiated by a former teammate has raised over 120,000 euros for the player’s family.
Investigation Underway
The Spanish police’s homicide unit has opened an investigation into the death, the news agency AP reported. The probe focuses on the possibility of negligent homicide. However, the chief prosecutor’s office in Teneriffa stated it was “highly unlikely” that a criminal case would be brought against Owono, with the investigation concentrating instead on the emergency medical response.
Following the incident, Owono, 25, issued a statement through his club, FC Andorra. “These are the hardest days of my life,” he wrote. “I am aware that there are still many questions to be answered.”
His teammate at Andorra, Lautaro Spatz, defended Owono on social media, writing, “He has been deeply affected by what happened. Anyone who knows him knows what kind of person he is and that he would never intentionally harm anyone.”
Widespread Grief in Football
The tragedy has cast a shadow over Spanish football. The nation’s professional players were reportedly reluctant to play over the weekend but were compelled to do so by league schedules. In a sign of the deep impact, FC Barcelona’s Raphinha requested not to speak about his Champions League performance after a match, citing his distress over de Miguel’s death.
Solemne homenaje en recuerdo de Jesús de Miguel este sábado, a las 18:00 horas, en el Helidoro Rodríguez López ▶️ https://t.co/P4INSTZvbc DEP 🖤 pic.twitter.com/dCC1b5jxNu
Tributes have poured in from across the sport. Fans of Teneriffa and their rivals, including UD Las Palmas, who offered to wear Teneriffa’s colors in a show of respect, chanted de Miguel’s name. Global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and tennis icon Rafael Nadal also expressed their condolences on social media. Former Real Madrid player Emilio Butragueño was among the guests at the memorial service in Teneriffa.
De Miguel joined Teneriffa in the summer of 2025 and was a key figure in their promotion to the second division, scoring 11 goals. He leaves behind his partner and a young daughter. A funeral was held in the player’s hometown of Navahermosa, in the province of Toledo, on Thursday.
Teneriffa Mourns De Miguel as Investigations Continue
The official investigation into the circumstances of de Miguel’s death continues. Teneriffa has declared a six-day period of mourning, suspending all activities for its men’s, women’s, and youth teams. The club has not yet announced a permanent tribute to the player, who was known by the nickname “Demi” and wore the No. 9 jersey.
