Thousands of fans packed the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium on Saturday, November 7, to pay tribute to Jesús de Miguel, the 30-year-old CD Tenerife striker who died on Tuesday, November 3. The emotional farewell, held with free entry, drew a crowd several thousand strong, with the stands filled and supporters singing the chant used for his goals, according to a report by El País.
The Heliodoro Fills with Grief
The stadium, normally a fortress for matchday, was transformed into a memorial. A shirt bearing the number 9 and a bouquet of flowers marked the exact spot on the pitch where the fatal impact occurred during a match against Andorra. A large banner draped over the stage read "Eterno Demi," reflecting the player's nickname and the enduring memory he leaves behind. In a powerful gesture of sportsmanship, supporters from UD Las Palmas, through their Ultra Naciente group, laid a wreath in De Miguel’s name.
Among the officials who attended the tribute were Canary Islands vice-president Manuel Domínguez, Tenerife Cabildo president Rosa Dávila, and LaLiga president Javier Tebas. Executives from several top clubs, including Real Madrid, Real Betis, Athletic Club, and Villarreal, were also present, showing the widespread impact of the tragedy. The event was opened by presenter José Manuel Pitti before a religious act, presided over by bishop Eloy Alberto Santiago, closed the formal proceedings.
Captain’s Emotion-Laden Words
No player was scheduled to address the crowd, but the emotional weight of the moment moved team captain Enric Gallego to step forward. Speaking for about five minutes, Gallego was visibly overcome with tears, La Vanguardia reported. He described his fallen teammate as “simple, discreet and natural,” someone who never sought the spotlight.
Gallego shared a personal anecdote that revealed De Miguel’s character: “He once had his car break down and chose to walk home without telling anyone.” The captain’s words reached a poignant climax when he addressed the painful reality of having to speak of his friend in the past tense. “Today we have to do something we never could have imagined: speak of you in the past tense. It is tremendously unfair,” he stated. Earlier in his speech, he had addressed De Miguel directly, saying, “Demi, you will always be one of us. It is very hard to be here today.”
Club Leadership and Support for the Family
President Felipe Miñambres remembered De Miguel as a player who “never asked for anything and was one of those who gave.” He also recalled a personal connection, noting that De Miguel had played alongside his son at Unión Adarve before joining Tenerife.
Majority shareholder Rayco García delivered a speech heavy with emotion, thanking UD Las Palmas for what he called its “humble and sincere support.” He expressed the universal feeling of helplessness in the face of such a loss. “There are no words to ease the pain of the family,” he said, adding that witnessing the striker’s mother “desperately trying to hold on to life” was the hardest thing he had ever seen.
The club has made a long-term commitment to supporting De Miguel’s family. Tenerife CEO Antonio Manuel Porro Granados confirmed that the club, at the initiative of Rayco García, will support the striker’s 16-month-old daughter, Carla. “We want to be there for her at least until she reaches adulthood,” Porro Granados told The Athletic. The exact duration of this pledge varies in reports; one account suggests it lasts until she turns 18, while LaSexta reported the support would continue until she is 16. The club is also exploring ways to increase its financial support to ease the family’s circumstances as much as possible.
Events Leading to the Tribute
The events leading to the stadium tribute began on Monday, November 2, when De Miguel suffered chest trauma from a blow by Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a match, as reported by El País. He was later buried on Thursday, November 5, in the cemetery of Navahermosa, his parents’ village, before the club’s planned tribute could be held, according to El Mundo.
The tragedy has also impacted the team’s schedule. CD Tenerife’s fixture against Granada, originally set for the weekend, was suspended due to the player’s death, LaSexta reported. The Premier League’s Manchester United also sent a message of condolence to Tenerife, a gesture of solidarity from the global football community.
A Final Farewell
After the speeches and the screening of a video compilation of tributes to the footballer, the somber ceremony continued with a string quartet providing a musical backdrop to the emotional afternoon. More than two hours after it began, the tribute at the Heliodoro concluded. As the stadium’s stands began to empty, a profound silence settled over the venue, though the grief it held will take much longer to dissipate.
Answering Questions About the Death
- How did Jesús de Miguel die?
- According to El País, the 30-year-old striker suffered chest trauma from a blow by Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a match on Monday, November 2. He died on Tuesday, November 3.
- How long will the club support his daughter?
- CD Tenerife has committed to supporting De Miguel’s 16-month-old daughter, Carla, at least until she reaches adulthood, according to Tenerife CEO Antonio Manuel Porro Granados. Reports differ on the specific age, with one source citing 18 and LaSexta reporting 16.
- Which other clubs were represented at the tribute?
- Officials from Real Madrid, Real Betis, Athletic Club, and Villarreal attended the memorial at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López, along with LaLiga president Javier Tebas and regional political leaders.
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