Tenerife striker De Miguel dies after on-field collision

MADRID — Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died on Tuesday at the age ​of 30, a day after suffering a cardiac arrest following a collision during a Spanish second-division match.The Segunda Division game against FC Andorra on Monday was abandoned seven minutes into stoppage time after De Miguel collapsed after a clash with away goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who had rushed out of his area to clear a long ball and struck the forward in the chest with ​his knee.De Miguel’s condition was described as ‘stable but serious’ on Monday but his health deteriorated on Tuesday morning, with the Spaniard dying at 07:00 GMT.”Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” a club statement said.”There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can lessen this overwhelming sadness. We stand with his grieving family, with his loved ones, with all of Tenerife who mourn this cruel loss today.”Tenerife and Andorra were drawing 2-2 seven minutes into stoppage time when the incident occurred.Owono ran toward the center circle to clear a long ball when his knee appeared to collide with De Miguel.The striker lay motionless on the pitch as medical staff treated him before he was taken by ambulance from Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez to hospital.Players from both teams were visibly distressed by the incident, with a number of De Miguel’s teammates in tears.The referee showed Owono a straight red card before abandoning the match.The goalkeeper, who had over 30,000 followers on Instagram on Tuesday morning, has since deactivated his account.Spanish media, including Marca, reported De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance and was resuscitated by paramedics on the way to hospital.Police in Spain have opened proceedings for possible involuntary manslaughter following the death of De Miguel, a ​source from the National Police said.Judicial authorities in the Canary Islands said the opening of ⁠an investigation into the death of De Miguel was a routine procedure because any death deemed non-natural under Spanish law ​automatically triggers a judicial inquiry.Andorra, Tenerife’s opponents on Monday, said: “With broken hearts and devastated, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his teammates, friends, and to CD Tenerife.”Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who co-owns Andorra, said: “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus.”De Miguel’s former club, Castellon, said: “It’s hard to find words when reality strikes in such an unfair way.”We join with all our affection in the grief of his family and loved ones, whom we embrace in these terribly difficult moments and to whom we extend our most heartfelt condolences.”Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, said: “Today, we all share the terrible pain of an irreparable loss.”My deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, team-mates and the whole club.”Real Madrid and France striker Kylian Mbappe wrote on his social media: “Much sadness, there are no words.”Inter Miami and former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi said: “There are no words. My condolences and lots of strength to all his family and friends.”The Spanish football federation announced following De Miguel’s death that Tuesday’s Spanish Cup fixtures had been postponed.Two fixtures in the first round of the men’s Copa del Rey were due to be played, while Espanyol were set to take on AS Celtas in the women’s Copa del Reina competition.De Miguel, who was born in Madrid, started his career at Leganés in 2015 and went on to play for eight different clubs in Spain.After spells with Lugo Fuenlabrada and Internacional Madrid, he returned to Fuenlabrada before stints at Union Adarve, Navalcarnero and Unionistas.He joined Castellon in 2023 and scored 16 goals as the club achieved promotion to Spain’s second division a year later.The Spaniard joined Tenerife on a three-year deal in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for the side.De Miguel is survived by his daughter, Carla de Miguel Fernandez, who was born in 2025.MADRID — Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died on Tuesday at the age ​of 30, a day after suffering a cardiac arrest following a collision during a Spanish second-division match.The Segunda Division game against FC Andorra on Monday was abandoned seven minutes into stoppage time after De Miguel collapsed after a clash with away goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who had rushed out of his area to clear a long ball and struck the forward in the chest with ​his knee.De Miguel’s condition was described as ‘stable but serious’ on Monday but his health deteriorated on Tuesday morning, with the Spaniard dying at 07:00 GMT.”Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” a club statement said.”There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can lessen this overwhelming sadness. We stand with his grieving family, with his loved ones, with all of Tenerife who mourn this cruel loss today.”Tenerife and Andorra were drawing 2-2 seven minutes into stoppage time when the incident occurred.Owono ran toward the center circle to clear a long ball when his knee appeared to collide with De Miguel.The striker lay motionless on the pitch as medical staff treated him before he was taken by ambulance from Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez to hospital.Players from both teams were visibly distressed by the incident, with a number of De Miguel’s teammates in tears.The referee showed Owono a straight red card before abandoning the match.The goalkeeper, who had over 30,000 followers on Instagram on Tuesday morning, has since deactivated his account.Spanish media, including Marca, reported De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance and was resuscitated by paramedics on the way to hospital.Police in Spain have opened proceedings for possible involuntary manslaughter following the death of De Miguel, a ​source from the National Police said.Judicial authorities in the Canary Islands said the opening of ⁠an investigation into the death of De Miguel was a routine procedure because any death deemed non-natural under Spanish law ​automatically triggers a judicial inquiry.Andorra, Tenerife’s opponents on Monday, said: “With broken hearts and devastated, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his teammates, friends, and to CD Tenerife.”Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who co-owns Andorra, said: “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus.”De Miguel’s former club, Castellon, said: “It’s hard to find words when reality strikes in such an unfair way.”We join with all our affection in the grief of his family and loved ones, whom we embrace in these terribly difficult moments and to whom we extend our most heartfelt condolences.”Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, said: “Today, we all share the terrible pain of an irreparable loss.”My deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, team-mates and the whole club.”Real Madrid and France striker Kylian Mbappe wrote on his social media: “Much sadness, there are no words.”Inter Miami and former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi said: “There are no words. My condolences and lots of strength to all his family and friends.”The Spanish football federation announced following De Miguel’s death that Tuesday’s Spanish Cup fixtures had been postponed.Two fixtures in the first round of the men’s Copa del Rey were due to be played, while Espanyol were set to take on AS Celtas in the women’s Copa del Reina competition.De Miguel, who was born in Madrid, started his career at Leganés in 2015 and went on to play for eight different clubs in Spain.After spells with Lugo Fuenlabrada and Internacional Madrid, he returned to Fuenlabrada before stints at Union Adarve, Navalcarnero and Unionistas.He joined Castellon in 2023 and scored 16 goals as the club achieved promotion to Spain’s second division a year later.The Spaniard joined Tenerife on a three-year deal in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for the side.De Miguel is survived by his daughter, Carla de Miguel Fernandez, who was born in 2025.