Spanish football mourns 30-year-old forward as Piqué and Real Madrid offer condolences

Jesús de Miguel, the 30-year-old forward for Spain’s Tenerife, died Tuesday in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest during a second-division match against Andorra. Opposing goalkeeper Jesús Owono ran out of the penalty area and struck him in the chest with his knee; Sky Sports reported that police are investigating the player’s death as possible involuntary manslaughter.

Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel has died in Spain. The 30-year-old footballer died at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday at Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, where he had been in intensive care after suffering cardiac arrest the previous day during a match against Andorra, the club said.

The Segunda match, part of the 12th round, was played Monday at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium. The hosts led 2-0, but the visitors equalized in the 80th and 87th minutes. In stoppage time, de Miguel sprinted after a long pass to launch a counterattack, while Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono ran far outside the penalty area and collided with him, leading with his knee. The impact struck the forward in the chest, and he fell unconscious.

Resuscitation on the pitch

Referee Pérez Hernández sent off Owono, and the match was not completed. De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest, and medical staff resuscitated him on the pitch before taking him to hospital in an ambulance after stabilizing him. The club initially described his condition as serious but stable, but later said during the night that his neurological condition had deteriorated.

“With pain, a lump in our throats and unable to believe that this is true,” Tenerife announced the player’s death, describing what happened as a “cruel ending.” The footballer’s family thanked people for their support and asked that their privacy be respected. Sky Sports reported that Spanish police are investigating de Miguel’s death as possible involuntary manslaughter.

Piqué: “I am deeply sorry”

Andorra said that its heart was “broken,” while club president Gerard Piqué wrote: “I am deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesús.” Spanish media reported that Owono was deeply shaken and wanted to apologize to the bereaved family. The Royal Spanish Football Federation postponed the King’s Cup and Queen’s Cup matches scheduled for Tuesday as a mark of respect. Real Madrid players observed a minute of silence for de Miguel at training, while Barcelona, Atlético, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano also expressed their condolences.

Born in Madrid, de Miguel came through Leganés’ youth academy and spent most of his career in the lower leagues, playing for Fuenlabrada, Navalcarnero, Unionistas de Salamanca and Castellón, with whom he reached the second division in 2024. He joined Tenerife in 2025 and helped the team return to the Segunda this year.

Photo: Star. Video: social media

Spanish football mourns 30-year-old forward as Piqué and Real Madrid offer condolences