Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel dies after on-field collision

Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel has died from injuries sustained in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second division match.

The 30-year-old suffered the injury late in Tuesday’s game at the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium, with the score level at 2-2. Owono, the Equatorial Guinea international, had rushed from his goal to clear the ball and collided with De Miguel in the middle of the pitch.

Owono was sent off and the match was abandoned.

Spanish police sources told AFP that an investigation into the incident had been opened under judicial supervision.

De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated, according to Spanish media. He was taken to hospital and admitted to intensive care, but Tenerife later said his condition had “worsened neurologically”.

The club confirmed his death at 8am (7GMT) on Tuesday.

“Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe this is real, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, at 8am (7GMT), of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” Tenerife said in a statement.

“No words can ease the pain, nothing can lessen this great feeling of sadness. Our thoughts are with the family, his close friends and Tenerife fans, who today are grieving over this terrible news.”

Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, the majority shareholder of Andorra, wrote on social media: “I am so deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesus.”

Andorra also offered their “most sincere condolences” to De Miguel’s family, team-mates and Tenerife.

Tributes from across sport

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and other Spanish clubs joined the Spanish football federation (RFEF) in paying tribute.

“Shattered by this sad news, the Royal Spanish Football Federation wishes to express our deepest sorrow at his passing today,” the RFEF said.

The federation postponed Tuesday’s matches in the Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina “as a gesture of respect and solidarity”.

UEFA said a minute’s silence would be held before matches in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League this week. Real Madrid also observed a silence before training.

“Immense sadness, there are no words,” Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe wrote on Instagram.

Other sports figures, including Rafa Nadal and Lionel Messi, posted messages. “There are no words… rest in peace,” wrote Inter Miami forward Messi, while Nadal said: “What a terrible sadness… I’m with you from the bottom of my heart.”

La Liga club Espanyol delayed the presentation of new coach Eder Sarabia until Wednesday, while some clubs decided not to train.

Top-flight chief Javier Tebas said: “Today we all share the terrible pain of an irreparable loss.”

Spanish sports minister Milagros Tolon offered her “deepest condolences to (De Miguel’s) family and loved ones”, as well as Tenerife, its players and staff.

De Miguel joined Tenerife from Castellon in summer 2025 and helped the club win promotion to the second division. He began his career in Leganes’ youth system and later played for several clubs, including Unionistas de Salamanca, before signing for Castellon in 2023.