Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel dies after collision with goalkeeper on the pitch

The collision and cardiac arrest on the pitch

Jesús de Miguel, the 30-year-old Tenerife forward, died on Tuesday, November 3, after a severe collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono in a Spanish second-division league match. This was reported by the club, the AFP news agency and Kun.uz. The incident occurred near the end of the match at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium with the score at 2-2: Owono rushed out of his penalty area to break up an attack and, in midfield, struck De Miguel in the chest with his knee, as Kun.uz describes. The forward lost consciousness and fell to the turf; according to Spanish media, he suffered cardiac arrest. Doctors provided assistance for a long time, his heart activity was restored, and the player was taken to hospital and placed in intensive care. Owono was immediately shown a red card, and the match was abandoned and not completed.

The death and the football world's reaction

Tenerife first reported the incident on the evening of November 2, noting the seriousness but also the stability of the player's condition; overnight the situation worsened, and on November 3 at 8:00 a.m. local time the club announced De Miguel's death, stating that his condition had “deteriorated neurologically”. The club wrote: “No words can ease the pain.” Condolences were expressed by Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético and other clubs, as well as by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which postponed the Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches on Tuesday “as a sign of respect and solidarity.” UEFA announced that a minute's silence would be observed before this week's Champions League, Europa League and Conference League matches. Andorra's owner Gerard Piqué wrote: “I am so sorry. Rest in peace, Jesús.” Condolences were also expressed by Lionel Messi, Rafael Nadal, Kylian Mbappé, La Liga president Javier Tebas and Spain's Minister of Sports Milagros Tolón. Espanyol postponed the presentation of new coach Eder Sarabia to Wednesday.

The investigation and Owono's fate

According to AFP, citing police sources, an investigation under judicial supervision has been openedinto the incident. Kun.uz, citing the outlet Sports, notes that Owono could be banned for a long period, and criminal proceedings are not ruled out. Real Madrid's head coach José Mourinho, commenting on the player's death before the Champions League match against AEK, called what happened “shocking” and added that it is a very difficult moment for goalkeeper Owono as well: “It is sad for everyone.” No information has yet been reported about the fate of the match or the official conclusions of the investigation.

Who De Miguel was

De Miguel had played for Tenerife since the summer of 2025, having joined from Castellón, and, according to AFP, helped the team win promotion to the second division. A product of Leganés from the Madrid suburbs, he played for a number of clubs, including Unionistas de Salamanca, before signing with Castellón in 2023.