Real Madrid hold minute’s silence for Tenerife’s Jesus de Miguel

Real Madrid have paid tribute to Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel, who died on Tuesday aged 30 after suffering a serious injury during his side’s match against Andorra.

The club held a minute’s silence before training to remember the forward and to show its support for his family, team-mates and the wider Spanish football community.

The incident happened during the final stages of Tenerife’s match against Andorra at the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium. De Miguel was running from the halfway line as he led a counter-attack when Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono left his penalty area to challenge for the ball.

Owono’s knee struck De Miguel in the chest and face, leaving the Tenerife player unconscious on the pitch in stoppage time. Players from both teams immediately called for medical assistance as emergency treatment began.

Medical staff spent several minutes attempting to revive De Miguel on the field before he was carried on a stretcher to an ambulance. He was then taken to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Senora de Candelaria.

De Miguel had suffered cardiorespiratory arrest, and medical teams continued resuscitation efforts during the journey to hospital. His pulse was restored, but he remained unconscious and was admitted to the intensive care unit in a critical condition.

Tenerife announced in the early hours of Tuesday that his neurological condition had deteriorated. The club later confirmed his death, bringing an end to attempts to save him following the collision.

Real Madrid tribute

Real Madrid issued a statement on its official website expressing its condolences.

“The club, its president and its board of directors offer their deepest condolences for the death of Jesus de Miguel, a Tenerife player, who passed away at the age of 30,” the statement said.

It added: “The club expresses its deep sorrow and solidarity with his family, team-mates, club and all his loved ones in these difficult moments. Rest in peace.”

The Spanish club also marked his memory before training, with every member of the squad observing a minute’s silence in his honour.

The tribute came as Real Madrid prepared to face AEK Athens at Aloin Arena in the fourth round of the league phase of the Champions League.