A Spanish footballer has tragically died after suffering a severe blow to the chest in a collision with a rival goalkeeper during a match on Monday.
Jesus De Miguel, 30, of CD Tenerife, had been admitted to intensive care following a horrifying foul by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, which led to the Spanish second division match being abandoned deep into stoppage time with the scores level at 2-2.
His football club announced that De Miguel's condition had worsened overnight, with the forward passing away this morning.
The tragedy occurred as the game entered the seventh minute of stoppage time, when De Miguel looked set to race away on the counter-attack for Tenerife in search of a winner.
As he watched a long ball drop into his path, the striker was struck in the chest by Owono's flying knee as he attempted to clear the ball near the halfway line.
After initially rolling around on the floor, De Miguel became motionless, and medical staff rushed onto the pitch to attend to him.
Owono was initially given a red card for the challenge before the decision was soon taken by the referee to abandon the fixture.
De Miguel was seen to for over five minutes while his team-mates were visibly distressed, with some appearing to be in tears.
The stadium had been in complete silence while De Miguel was being treated, but as he was taken off the pitch the striker was given a standing ovation by the crowd.
He had become a father just last year, and according to El Espanol, his wife and baby daughter were watching in the stands as the fatal incident occurred.
Tenerife, from Spain's second tier of football, confirmed De Miguel's death in a statement
Tenerife striker Jesus De Miguel has died following a collision during a Spanish second division match on Monday
The striker was struck in the chest by Owono's flying knee as he attempted to clear the ball near the halfway line
De Miguel, 30, had been admitted to intensive care following a horrifying collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono (pictured)
He had become a father just last year, and according to El Espanol, his wife and baby daughter were watching in the stands as the fatal incident occurred (Picture from CD Castellon on Facebook)
After being taken to an ambulance on a stretcher, there is believed to have been an approximate 15-minute wait before they made their way to the hospital.
De Miguel is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital and had to be revived inside the ambulance, according to Spanish media outlet Marca.
Spanish newspaper AS reported that De Miguel's team-mates had travelled to hospital after he had been taken to intensive care.
In a statement this morning, CD Tenerife confirmed the striker's death, saying: 'Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe that this is true, from CD Tenerife we communicate the tragic death, this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., of Jesús de Miguel Alameda.'
'There are no words of comfort; There is absolutely nothing to mitigate this feeling full of sadness.
'We are with his devastated family, with his loved ones, with all the people of Tenerife who today mourn this cruel outcome.
'The family of Jesús de Miguel is grateful for each and every one of the expressions of support received, and also requests, from the bottom of its heart, maximum respect for his privacy, in these terrible moments.'
Journalist Ivan Alvarez reported that Owono, who is also Equatorial Guinea's national goalkeeper, 'is very affected by the situation and that the goalkeeper's intention is to apologise privately before making any public statements'.
UEFA has confirmed that a minute of silence will be held at all their matches this week in tribute to De Miguel.
'We are heartbroken by the death of Jesús de Miguel Alameda,' president Aleksander Čeferin said.
'We have searched for words and found only silence. In that silence, our hearts and thoughts are with his family, his teammates, everyone at CD Tenerife, and all those who mourn this tragic loss.'
The Royal Spanish Footbal Federation have meanwhile cancelled all domestic matches today.
Tenerife's opponents FC Andorra offered their condolences following news of De Miguel's death, writing: 'With broken hearts and devastated, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel, to all his teammates, friends, and to CD Tenerife. Rest in peace.'
Football clubs across Spain, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, have led tributes following the news of the death.
'Our thoughts and support are with his family, friends and loved ones during these difficult times,' Barcelona said in a statement.
Real Madrid also expressed their condolences, stating: 'Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates, his club, and all his loved ones.'
The Spanish Footballers Association also released a statement, expressing their 'deepest sorrow' at the footballer's death.
'His loss leaves a huge void among those of us who shared his passion for football, his commitment to the footballers' community, and his work defending the rights of our fellow professionals,' the statement continued.
'The Board of Directors, all the staff of AFE, and the footballers' community wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones, as well as to his teammates at Club Deportivo Tenerife. In these moments of immense sadness, we send them all our love, support, and solidarity. You will always be part of our family.'
CD Tenerife's Jesus de Miguel was stretchered off the field after a collision with FC Andorra's Jesus Owono
De Miguel was rushed to hospital following the incident after appearing motionless on the pitch
Tenerife stated: 'We are with his devastated family, with his loved ones, with all the people of Tenerife who today mourn this cruel outcome'
De Miguel joined Tenerife in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 30 appearances to help secure the team promoted from the Spanish third division as champions.
The forward had previously helped to secure Internacional de Madrid and CD Castellón promotions from the fourth and third divisions, respectively.
CD Castellon also released a statement on Tuesday morning in tribute to their former player, saying: 'With broken hearts and inconsolable grief, Club Deportivo Castellón bids farewell to Jesús De Miguel.
'Words fail to express the profound injustice of this loss. He wore this shirt with pride, celebrated goals with our fans at the SkyFi Castalia stadium, and was an integral part of a story that this fanbase will never forget.
'We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, offering them our heartfelt support during this difficult time. We also join CD Tenerife and its fans in mourning, sharing this sorrow with them. You will always be one of us, Demi. Rest in peace.'
Last September, another Spanish player died aged only 19 after a collision sent him into cardiac arrest.
Raul Ramirez Osorio, who played for fifth-tier team Colindres, jumped to grab the ball when he crashed into a rival player.
He immediately fell to the ground unconscious where his manager and a nursing student attempted to revive him, before he was taken to hospital.
He suffered a second cardiac arrest on his way there and after two days in the ICU tragically passed away.
And a few months ago was the 95th anniversary of a similar tragedy, involving Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson who died aged 22 after receiving a serious head injury.
During the match in September of 1931, Thomson dived at the feet of his Rangers rival Sam English to stop a ball, before hitting his head on his opponent's knee.
He was left unconscious with a bleeding head, before being taken to hospital, where he sadly died.
