Jesus de Miguel has died after suffering serious head and chest injuries in Tenerife’s Spanish second-division match against Andorra.
The 30-year-old striker was involved in a heavy collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during the game on Monday. Owono was sent off for the challenge.
De Miguel’s condition was initially described as “stable but serious”, but it deteriorated on Tuesday morning. He died at 07:00 GMT (08:00 local time).
CD Tenerife confirmed his death in a statement, saying: “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.
“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.
“The family of Jesus de Miguel is grateful for each and every expression of support received, and also requests, from the bottom of their hearts, the utmost respect for their privacy during these terrible times.”
Tenerife and Andorra were level at 2-2, seven minutes into stoppage time, when the incident occurred.
Owono had moved towards the centre circle to clear a long ball when his knee appeared to strike De Miguel. The Tenerife forward remained motionless on the pitch while medical staff treated him.
He was later taken by ambulance from Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez to hospital. Players from both sides were visibly distressed, while several of De Miguel’s team-mates were seen crying.
The referee showed Owono a straight red card before abandoning the match.
Spanish media, including Marca, reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance and was resuscitated by paramedics on the journey to hospital.
Tenerife issued a further update on Tuesday morning, saying that De Miguel’s condition had “worsened neurologically”.
Andorra, who are co-owned by former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, also expressed their condolences.
“With broken hearts and devastated, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his team-mates, friends, and to CD Tenerife,” the club said.