Andorra goalkeeper Owino searches for words after Jesús de Miguel's tragic death
In the flickering light of candles, hundreds of fans gathered on Tuesday in front of the clinic, as the news of the sudden death of 30‑year‑old Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel shook the football world. He leaves a partner and a young daughter, and authorities have opened investigations while memorial services are being prepared.
First reactions and personal words
The goalkeeper Jesús Owono, 25, who was involved in the collision, initially struggled for words. In an initial public statement released by FC Andorra, he said: “These are the hardest days of my life.” He added that it was difficult for him to find words and to comprehend what had happened. His thoughts are with de Miguel, his family and everyone who loved him, and he knows that many questions still need to be answered.
The 30‑year‑old de Miguel of CD Tenerife suffered severe injuries and a cardiac arrest on Monday after a reckless challenge by the opposing goalkeeper in stoppage time of the league home match against FC Andorra. He died in the hospital on Tuesday morning. According to Spanish media, he is to be buried on Thursday. The burial will take place after the transfer of the body to Navahermosa, the hometown of his family in the province of Toledo.
In the small town, about 130 km southwest of Madrid, teammates, coaching staff and the club management of CD Tenerife will say their goodbyes. The family thanked everyone for the many condolences and asked for unrestricted respect for their privacy. On Saturday a memorial service is to be held at the Heliodoro‑Rodríguez‑López Stadium, to which all supporters are invited from 6 p.m. onward. De Miguel leaves his partner María and his daughter Carla, born in June 2025.
Investigations and legal consequences
The players on the pitch reacted shocked after the collision. Majority owner Rayco Garcia described the incident as the worst day of his life and spoke of unimaginable suffering. Tenerife announced a six‑day mourning period and suspended all activities of its men’s, women’s and youth teams.
Jesús de Miguel dies: Toledo says goodbye, Las Palmas honors him on field
The Spanish murder commission has opened investigations against Owono for possible negligent homicide. Senior prosecutor José Luis Sánchez‑Jáuregui, however, considers a criminal trial very unlikely. Whether de Miguel’s family will file a complaint or pursue civil action remains to be seen. Owono nevertheless faces a lengthy ban from the Spanish football association RFEF.
Memorial service and farewell
On Tuesday hundreds of fans gathered in front of the clinic, lit candles and laid flowers. Players met the fans at stadium gate 9, the deceased’s shirt number, to mourn. Celebrities such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Rafael Nadal expressed their sympathy on social media.
Lautaro Spatz of FC Andorra defended his teammate Owono on social media and mentioned that Owono had deactivated his Instagram account after massive insults. Spatz wrote: “He has been deeply affected by what happened. Anyone who knows him knows what kind of person he is, how much he is suffering at this moment, and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone.”
Owono closes Instagram after racist threats linked to tragic death
De Miguel worked his way up to professional football through several lower‑division Spanish clubs, moved to Tenerife in the summer of 2025 and scored eleven goals that were instrumental in the promotion to the Second Division.