Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter after Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel died following an on-field collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a second-division match, abcnews.com reported.
The Collision and Abandonment at Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez
The incident occurred seven minutes into stoppage time during a 2-2 draw between Tenerife and FC Andorra at Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez, according to the bbc.com report. De Miguel was challenging for a long ball near midfield when Owono rushed out of his penalty area and struck the striker in the chest. De Miguel initially dropped to his knees, clutching his torso before falling onto his back with his arms at his sides. The referee issued Owono a straight red card and abandoned the match.
Terrible news from Spain: Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel has sadly passed away. The striker has could not overcome the serious consequences of the incident suffered during the match against FC Andorra. A devastating loss for Tenerife and whole football world. Prayers and… pic.twitter.com/CM5FC93ESh
Medical staff treated De Miguel on the pitch before he was carried off on a stretcher, intubated, and transported by ambulance. Spanish media outlets, including Marca, reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance and was resuscitated by paramedics before passing away the following morning at age 30, bbc.com noted.
Prosecutors Rule Out Criminal Proceedings After Fatal Collision
Under Spanish law, deaths from non-natural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial investigation by the National Police, abcnews.com reported. However, Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui told the Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely, noting that the collision occurred during normal play, as reported by ESPN.
🖤 The European football community is mourning the loss of @CDTOficial forward Jesús de Miguel Alameda. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this incredibly difficult time. A moment of silence will be observed at all UEFA matches this… pic.twitter.com/bUKSuEQYx7
Following the red card, Owono initially walked off the pitch before turning around to join other players checking on De Miguel, abcnews.com stated. The goalkeeper’s Instagram account, which had nearly 30,000 followers, was deactivated by Tuesday morning, according to bbc.com.
Career History and Journey to Tenerife
Born in Madrid in 1996, De Miguel began his senior career with Leganés B in 2015 and played for several lower-division clubs in Spain, according to abcnews.com and Newsday. Standing 1.9 meters (6 feet, 2 inches) tall and left-footed, he earned a reputation as a traditional striker willing to fight for aerial balls, Newsday reported.
🚨 UEFA confirm a minute’s silence will be observed before tonight's Champions League games following the tragic passing of CD Tenerife player Jésus de Miguel. pic.twitter.com/gPAYToYvtx
His most prolific scoring season came after joining Castellón in 2023, where he netted 16 goals to help the club earn promotion to the second division. After struggling for goals in the second tier, he moved to Tenerife on Spain’s Canary Islands in 2025. In the third division, he scored six goals in his first five games, finishing with 11 goals to help his new club secure promotion, as detailed by Newsday.
Tributes Across the Football World
Tenerife issued a statement describing the club as heartbroken. Club president Felipe Miñambres stated that players and their families would need professional help to cope with the loss. Tenerife’s largest shareholder, Rayco García, told reporters that De Miguel’s body would be transported to Navahermosa in the Toledo province at his family’s request for a final farewell, and announced that fans would gather at the stadium on Saturday to honor him, ESPN reported.
![Spanish footballer [Name], [Age], dies after on-field collision](https://a3.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2026%2F1103%2Fr1740435_1183x665_16%2D9.jpg "Photo: ESPN")
FC Andorra, owned by former Barcelona star Gerard Piqué, released a statement offering condolences and providing psychological support to anyone affected at the club. Piqué wrote on X: “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesús,” according to abcnews.com. Real Madrid players held a moment of silence during training, Espanyol postponed a coaching presentation, and tributes poured in from figures including Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool, and Castellón.
Historical Precedents of on-Field Fatalities
Life-threatening injuries resulting from collisions in soccer are extremely rare, abcnews.com noted. In the previous year in Spain, 19-year-old Colindres goalkeeper Raúl Ramírez suffered two cardiorespiratory arrests during a fifth-division match collision and was declared brain dead two days later. In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died from head injuries sustained in a match collision while playing for CSKA Moscow. In January 1987, Málaga goalkeeper José Antonio Gallardo died more than three weeks after colliding with Celta Vigo forward Baltazar in a second-division game.
From FC Barcelona, we deeply regret the tragic news of the passing of Jesús de Miguel, CD Tenerife player. Our thoughts and support are with his family, friends and loved ones during these difficult times.
Common Questions Regarding the Incident
What caused the death of Jesús de Miguel?
De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest following a heavy on-field collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a second-division match in Spain, according to reports from abcnews.com and ESPN.
What legal steps have authorities taken?
The Spanish National Police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, as Spanish law requires judicial investigation for non-natural deaths, though the chief prosecutor noted criminal proceedings are unlikely because the contact occurred during play, abcnews.com and ESPN reported.
How have football clubs responded to the tragedy?
Tenerife postponed its upcoming match and arranged psychological support for players, while clubs across Spain and Europe, including FC Andorra, Real Madrid, and La Liga officials, observed moments of silence and issued public statements of condolence, according to abcnews.com and bbc.com.
Where will the player’s final farewell take place?
At the request of his family, De Miguel’s body will be transported to Navahermosa in the Toledo province, while Tenerife fans are scheduled to gather at the team’s stadium on Saturday to honor him, ESPN reported.
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