Jesus de Miguel
Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel has died at the age of 30 after suffering a serious injury during a Spanish second-division match.
The forward sustained head and chest injuries in a heavy collision with goalkeeper Jesus Owono during Monday’s game against FC Andorra. His condition was described as “stable but serious” that day, but it worsened on Tuesday morning and he died 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,” the club said in a statement, adding that “there are no words of comfort.”
The incident happened with the score at 2-2, seven minutes into stoppage time. Owono ran towards the centre circle to clear a long ball when his knee appeared to collide with De Miguel, who lay motionless as medical staff treated him.
He was taken by ambulance from the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez to hospital. Players from both sides were visibly distressed, with several of De Miguel’s team-mates in tears.
The referee sent Owono off with a straight red card before abandoning the match. The goalkeeper has since deactivated his Instagram account.
Spanish media, including Marca, reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance and was resuscitated by paramedics.
Tributes have poured in. Andorra sent condolences to his family, team-mates and friends, while club co-owner Gerard Pique said he was sorry “with all my soul.”
Former club Castellon said it joined in the grief of his loved ones, and La Liga president Javier Tebas spoke of an “irreparable loss.”