Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel has died at the age of 30 after suffering serious head and chest injuries during a Spanish second-division match against FC Andorra on Monday.
The collision occurred in the seventh minute of stoppage time with the score 2-2. Goalkeeper Jesus Owono ran from his area to clear a long ball and his knee struck De Miguel, who lay motionless on the pitch. Owono was shown a straight red card and the match was abandoned. De Miguel was taken by ambulance to hospital, where his condition was initially described as stable but serious. He suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance and was resuscitated, but his health deteriorated and he died at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday.
Spanish police have opened an investigation for possible involuntary manslaughter, as any non-natural death automatically triggers a judicial inquiry under Spanish law. Tenerife released a statement expressing overwhelming sadness and support for De Miguel's family. Club president Felipe Minambres said players would need professional assistance to cope with the tragedy.
FC Andorra, co-owned by former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, issued condolences and said they are providing psychological support to their players. Pique wrote: "I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus." La Liga president Javier Tebas, former clubs Castellon, and global stars Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi also paid tribute.
The Spanish football federation postponed Tuesday's Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina fixtures. Real Madrid and Arsenal observed a minute's silence before training on Tuesday.
De Miguel, born in Madrid, began his career at Leganes in 2015 and played for eight clubs in Spain. He joined Castellon in 2023, scoring 16 goals as they earned promotion to the second division. He signed a three-year deal with Tenerife in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 29 appearances. He is survived by his daughter, Carla de Miguel Fernandez, born in 2025.
