Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel has died after suffering a severe chest injury in a collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a match on Monday.
The 30-year-old CD Tenerife forward had been receiving intensive care after a distressing challenge by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono. The Spanish second-division fixture was abandoned deep into stoppage time with the score tied at 2-2.
Tenerife said De Miguel’s condition deteriorated overnight before the striker died on Tuesday morning.
The incident came in the seventh minute of added time, when De Miguel appeared poised to sprint onto a counter-attack as Tenerife searched for a late winner.
As a long pass dropped towards him, Owono raced out to clear the ball and struck De Miguel in the chest with his raised knee near the halfway line.
De Miguel initially rolled on the ground, but soon became motionless as medical staff hurried onto the pitch to treat him.
Owono was shown a red card for the challenge before the referee abandoned the match.
Medical staff attended to De Miguel for more than five minutes while his teammates watched in visible distress, with some appearing to cry.
The stadium fell completely silent during the treatment. When De Miguel was carried from the field, supporters stood to applaud him.
De Miguel became a father last year. According to El Español, his wife and baby daughter were in the stands when the fatal incident took place.
Tenerife, from Spain’s second tier of football, confirmed De Miguel’s death in a statement
Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel has died after a collision during a Spanish second-division match on Monday
The striker was struck in the chest by Owono’s raised knee as the goalkeeper attempted to clear the ball near halfway
De Miguel, 30, had been in intensive care after a distressing collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, pictured
He became a father last year, and El Español reported that his wife and baby daughter were in the stands during the incident
After being placed on a stretcher and taken to an ambulance, De Miguel reportedly remained there for about 15 minutes before the vehicle left for hospital.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest during the journey and had to be revived inside the ambulance.
Spanish newspaper AS reported that his Tenerife teammates travelled to the hospital after he was admitted to intensive care.
In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, CD Tenerife confirmed the forward’s death, writing: ‘Broken with pain, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe that this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death of Jesús de Miguel Alameda at 8am on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.’
‘There are no words of comfort, and absolutely nothing can ease this overwhelming sadness.’
‘We stand with his devastated family, his loved ones and everyone in Tenerife who is mourning this cruel outcome.’
‘Jesús de Miguel’s family is grateful for every expression of support they have received and, from the bottom of their hearts, asks for the utmost respect for their privacy during these terrible moments.’
Journalist Ivan Alvarez reported that Owono, who is also Equatorial Guinea’s national goalkeeper, was ‘deeply affected by the situation’ and intended to apologise privately before making any public comments.
UEFA confirmed that a minute’s silence would be observed at all of its matches this week in memory of De Miguel.
‘We are heartbroken by the death of Jesús de Miguel Alameda,’ UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said.
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‘We have searched for words and found only silence. In that silence, our hearts and thoughts are with his family, his teammates, everyone at CD Tenerife and all those mourning this tragic loss.’
The Royal Spanish Football Federation also cancelled all domestic matches scheduled for Tuesday.
FC Andorra, Tenerife’s opponents, offered their condolences after the news was announced. The club wrote: ‘With broken hearts and devastated, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel, all his teammates and friends, and to CD Tenerife. Rest in peace.’
Clubs across Spain, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, joined the tributes to the late footballer.
‘Our thoughts and support are with his family, friends and loved ones during these difficult times,’ Barcelona said.
Real Madrid also expressed its condolences, saying: ‘Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates, his club and all his loved ones.’
The Spanish Footballers Association released a statement expressing its ‘deepest sorrow’ over De Miguel’s death.
‘His loss leaves a huge void among those of us who shared his passion for football, his commitment to the footballers’ community and his work defending the rights of fellow professionals,’ the statement continued.
‘The Board of Directors, all the staff of AFE and the footballers’ community extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones, as well as to his teammates at Club Deportivo Tenerife. In these moments of immense sadness, we send them all our love, support and solidarity. You will always be part of our family.’
CD Tenerife’s Jesús de Miguel was carried from the pitch after colliding with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono
De Miguel was rushed to hospital after appearing to lie motionless on the pitch
Tenerife said: ‘We stand with his devastated family, his loved ones and everyone in Tenerife mourning this cruel outcome’
De Miguel joined Tenerife in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 30 appearances, helping the club win promotion from Spain’s third tier as champions.
He had previously played a key role in promotions for Internacional de Madrid from the fourth tier and CD Castellón from the third division.
CD Castellón also paid tribute to its former player on Tuesday morning, saying: ‘With broken hearts and inconsolable grief, Club Deportivo Castellón bids farewell to Jesús de Miguel.’
‘Words cannot express the profound injustice of this loss. He wore this shirt with pride, celebrated goals with our fans at SkyFi Castalia and became an important part of a story this fanbase will never forget.’
‘We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones and offer our heartfelt support during this difficult time. We also join CD Tenerife and its supporters in mourning. You will always be one of us, Demi. Rest in peace.’
The tragedy comes after another Spanish player died at the age of 19 last September following a collision that led to cardiac arrest.
Raúl Ramírez Osorio, who played for fifth-tier side Colindres, jumped to catch the ball before colliding with an opponent.
He immediately fell unconscious. His manager and a nursing student attempted to revive him before he was taken to hospital.
Ramírez Osorio suffered a second cardiac arrest on the journey and died after spending two days in intensive care.
A few months ago also marked the 95th anniversary of a similar tragedy involving Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson, who died at the age of 22 after suffering a serious head injury.
During a match in September 1931, Thomson dived at the feet of Rangers player Sam English to stop the ball and struck his head against his opponent’s knee.
He was left unconscious with a bleeding head and taken to hospital, where he later died.
