The football world has paid tribute to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday after suffering head and chest injuries during a match against FC Andorra.
De Miguel’s condition had been described as stable but serious on Monday, following a collision with goalkeeper Jesus Owono in the Spanish second division fixture. His health deteriorated the following morning.
The teams were level at 2-2 and seven minutes into stoppage time when Owono ran towards the centre circle to clear a long ball. His knee appeared to collide with De Miguel, who remained motionless as medical staff treated him before he was taken by ambulance to hospital.
The referee showed Owono a straight red card before abandoning the match. Players from both sides were visibly distressed, with several of De Miguel’s Tenerife team-mates in tears.
A minute’s silence was held before Tuesday evening’s Champions League matches across Europe. The tribute will be repeated before Wednesday’s fixtures and all Europa League and Conference League games this week. A silence was also observed before Aston Villa’s visit to Barcelona and Manchester United’s home match against Roma.
Tenerife announced six official days of mourning, during which all club activities will be suspended. Players, staff and officials will attend De Miguel’s funeral in Navahermosa, Toledo, while the club will open the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez on Saturday evening so supporters can “bid a fitting farewell”.
Flowers and candles have been placed beneath a black and white image of the striker outside Tenerife’s home ground.
“Jesus de Miguel’s family would like to thank everyone for their messages of support and, from the bottom of their hearts, ask that their privacy be respected at this terrible time. May he rest in peace,” the club said.
Fran Leon, president of Tenerife’s federation of supporters’ clubs, said: “All of the island is in mourning. All of Canarias is in mourning. It’s a shared pain.”
Supporter David Tejera said De Miguel’s “effort” and “passion” would endure, adding: “You are already part of the blue and white history.”
Tributes for De Miguel
Police in Spain have opened an investigation for possible involuntary manslaughter, Reuters reported. Spanish law automatically requires a judicial inquiry into any death deemed non-natural, although Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor Jose Luis Sanchez-Jauregui told EFE that criminal proceedings were “very unlikely”.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho described the incident as “a very, very difficult moment” for Owono.
“It’s hard, it’s sad,” Mourinho said. “All our words and feelings go out to the family and friends of the player who passed away, and I also think this has to be a very, very, very difficult moment for the other player involved.”
After scoring twice in Barcelona’s win over Aston Villa, Raphinha said: “Today I don’t want to talk about football. I want to send a message to the family of Jesus – may he rest in peace.”
Mikel Arteta called the incident “heartbreaking”, while Lionel Messi, Rafael Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gerard Pique also posted tributes.
De Miguel joined Tenerife from Castellon in the summer of 2025 on a three-year deal and helped the club gain promotion to the second division. He began his career with Leganes and later played for several clubs, including Unionistas de Salamanca, before joining Castellon in 2023.
His team-mates Juanjo Sanchez, Enric Gallego and Fran Sabina paid emotional tributes online, describing him as a wonderful person, “one of the best people” they had met and an important friend whose memory would remain with them.
