image copyrightGetty Images
Spanish Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died at the age of 30 after a serious injury received during a match in the second division of the Spanish championship.
On Monday, during a meeting with Andorra, the footballer received head and chest injuries as a result of a hard collision with the opposing goalkeeper Jesus Ovono. For this episode the goalkeeper was sent off the field.
De Miguel's condition was described as "stable but serious" on Monday. However, on Tuesday morning his health took a turn for the worse. The Spanish footballer died at 07:00 am Spanish time.
“With broken hearts, a lump in our throats, and unable to believe what has happened, Tenerife Football Club announces the tragic death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” the club said in a statement.
“There are no words that can console us. There is nothing that can even slightly ease this unbearable grief. “We share the grief of his family, loved ones and all the residents of Tenerife who today mourn this bereavement,” the statement also said. “Jesus de Miguel’s family thanks everyone who has expressed support for her and asks from the bottom of our hearts that her privacy be respected during these terrible days.”
"Deep Sorrow"
image copyrightReal Madrid
The tragic episode occurred in the seventh added minute of the match between Tenerife and Andorra with the score 2:2.
Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Ovono ran towards the center circle to clear the ball after a long pass. At this point, he apparently struck Jesus de Miguel with his knee.
The striker remained motionless on the lawn. Doctors gave him first aid right on the field, after which the football player was taken by ambulance from the Eliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium to the hospital.
End of Most Popular
This extension will help if you have difficulties accessing the BBC Russian Service website.
Download extension
End of story Chrome browser extension - link
The incident shocked the players of both teams. Some of de Miguel's teammates could not hold back their tears.
The referee showed Owono a red card and then decided to end the match.
According to Spanish media, including the Marca newspaper, de Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital. Paramedics managed to carry out successful resuscitation.
“With a painful heart, shocked by what happened, we want to express our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, all his teammates, friends and the Tenerife football club,” Andorra said in a statement.
Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, one of the co-owners of Andorra, wrote: “I mourn with all my heart. Rest in peace Jesus."
De Miguel's former club, Castellon, also issued a statement: “It is difficult to find words when reality strikes such an unfair blow. “We share with all our hearts the grief of his family and loved ones, we mentally hug them in these incredibly difficult moments and express our deepest condolences.”
“Today we all share the terrible pain of irreparable loss. “My deepest condolences go to his family, loved ones, teammates and the entire club,” said Spanish La Liga President Javier Tebas.
Real Madrid and France striker Kylian Mbappe wrote on social networks: “Deep sadness. There are no words."
Following De Miguel's death, the Royal Spanish Football Federation announced the postponement of the Copa del Rey matches scheduled for Tuesday.
Two first-round matches in the men's Copa del Rey were due to take place on this day, as well as a match in the women's Queen's Cup between Espanyol and Celtas.
Experienced football player with a flair for goals
Jesus de Miguel was born in Madrid and began his professional career in 2015 with Leganes. He subsequently played for eight different Spanish clubs.
After Leganes, he played for Lugo, Fuenlabrada and Internacional Madrid, then returned to Fuenlabrada and later played for Union Adarve, Navalcarnero and Unionistas.
In 2023, de Miguel moved to Castellon. The following season, he scored 16 goals and helped the team reach the second division of the Spanish Championship.
In 2025, the Spanish striker signed a three-year contract with Tenerife. He played 29 matches for the club, in which he scored 11 goals.
De Miguel is survived by his daughter Carla de Miguel Fernandez, born in 2025.
Download the new BBC World Service app!
When you first open the app, select "BBC News Russian Service" and receive notifications about important news, analysis, videos and podcasts.
Important: The new app is not available in the UK and US.
Find out more
Video playlist
End Video playlist
