Tragedy at Heliodoro Rodríguez López
The Spanish football community is mourning the death of CD Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel following a late-match collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a Segunda División fixture. The incident occurred in the 98th minute at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, when the goalkeeper rushed out of his area and collided with De Miguel in the central circle. The forward was looking toward the ball and did not see the oncoming challenge.
The impact of Owono’s knee against the 30-year-old forward’s chest resulted in a suspected cardiac arrest. Medical staff treated De Miguel on the pitch before transferring him to a hospital intensive care unit. His neurological state deteriorated, and CD Tenerife confirmed his death the following day.
Following the collision, the referee issued a straight red card to Owono. The goalkeeper walked toward the dressing room before realizing the severity of De Miguel’s condition, at which point he showed concern for the player’s status. FC Andorra released a statement via social media offering sincere condolences to the player’s family, friends, teammates, and CD Tenerife. Owono has not made a public statement and has deactivated his social media accounts.
Ongoing Investigation by the National Police
Law enforcement authorities have initiated formal steps to examine the precise circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. The Spanish National Police opened an investigation to clarify the events of the match, placing the procedure under judicial supervision. The opening of this inquiry does not imply that there is criminal liability for the goalkeeper.
The tragedy has prompted widespread reactions across Spanish football, leaving both clubs in mourning.
From Bata to the Basque Country
Jesús Owono’s path to professional football spans multiple countries and clubs, beginning with his birth in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on March 1, 2001. When he was eight years old, he and his mother emigrated to San Sebastián, Spain, where he grew up as the eldest of five siblings. He started playing in the plaza de Ibatea while attending Ibai Ikastola, later joining the youth ranks of Antiguoko, where he played alongside future professionals such as Ander Barrenetxea and Martín Zubimendi.
His performances caught the attention of Real Sociedad, leading to stints in their youth academy. In 2016, Owono made a career move by joining the youth system of Deportivo Alavés. Reflecting on his departure from home at a young age, he told his mother, “I’m leaving, mum, I have to make my life.” He subsequently featured for their affiliate, San Ignacio, in the Tercera División.
Owono Debuts in Top Flight for Alavés
Owono reached a historic milestone on January 2, 2022, when he made his Primera División debut for Alavés against Real Sociedad at the Estadio Mendizorroza. Under manager José Luis Mendilibar, the goalkeeper earned his starting nod due to COVID-19 absences affecting regular goalkeepers Fernando Pacheco and Antonio Sivera. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Adnan Januzaj scoring for Real Sociedad and Joselu Mato equalizing for Alavés. That appearance made Owono the first player born in Equatorial Guinea to play in Spain’s top flight.
At the international level, Owono has represented the Equatorial Guinea national team since 2019, earning caps as a senior international and appearing in two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. During the summer of 2026, FC Andorra announced his signing on a contract running until 2028. The club introduced him using a Spider-Man mask and the nickname “El hombre araña,” a moniker he acquired during the 2024 carnival celebrations when he wore the superhero mask ahead of an Alavés fixture against Villarreal. Before opting for Andorra—rejecting offers from clubs in Germany and Italy—Owono chose to remain in Spain, a country he considers his home.
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