Tenerife Striker Jesús de Miguel Dies at 30 After Collision With Andorra Goalkeeper Jesús Owono

CD Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel has died after a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a Spanish second-division match on Monday, his club announced Tuesday, Nov. 3. He was 30.

De Miguel went into cardiorespiratory arrest after the collision and did not regain consciousness, The Guardian reported. Spain’s National Police have opened an investigation, a standard step when a death does not come from natural causes.

What happened in Tenerife vs. Andorra

The match at Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López had been pushed back 24 hours because of the risk of torrential rain on the island, according to The Guardian. It was tied 2-2 deep in stoppage time when the play happened.

A long ball was played up the field, and De Miguel chased it into open space. Owono came far off his line toward the center circle. The Guardian said Owono jumped forward and crashed into him. AP reported that De Miguel was struck in the chest. BBC Sport said Owono’s knee appeared to make contact and that De Miguel had head and chest injuries.

Owono was shown a straight red card. De Miguel lay motionless as players from both teams called for medical help, and several of his teammates were in tears, BBC Sport reported. The referee, Manuel Ángel Pérez Hernández, abandoned the match.

From hospital to Tuesday’s announcement

The Guardian reported that medics restored De Miguel’s pulse in the ambulance and took him to Hospital Universitario de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. On Monday, the club described him as breathing on his own and stable, but still unconscious and in critical condition.

Early Tuesday, the club said his condition had worsened neurologically. Reports give slightly different times for his death: Tenerife’s statement, quoted by The Guardian, said 8 a.m. local time, while BBC Sport reported 07:00 GMT.

“CD Tenerife announce the tragic passing of Jesús de Miguel Alameda on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 8:00am,” the club said. It described itself as “broken by pain” and unable to believe the news.

Police investigation and Owono’s situation

Spanish police are investigating possible involuntary manslaughter, AP reported. According to beIN SPORTS, which cited the Spanish news agency EFE, the case is under judicial supervision. The High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands said an inquiry opens automatically after any death from non-natural causes.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s chief prosecutor, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, told EFE that criminal charges are highly unlikely because the collision happened during normal play, beIN SPORTS reported. He said authorities will first look at the referee’s report and the findings of the sports disciplinary committee. He added that De Miguel’s family could file a complaint if they disagree with those findings.

Opening an investigation does not mean Owono committed a crime. No ruling has found him responsible. Separately, Spanish soccer’s disciplinary bodies are expected to review whether his challenge counted as dangerous play.

Tributes from Gerard Piqué, Barcelona and Real Madrid

Former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué, Andorra’s majority shareholder, wrote on social media: “I am so deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesús,” The Guardian reported. Andorra sent its condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife.

Barcelona and Real Madrid also paid tribute, and Arsenal players held a minute of silence. The Spanish soccer federation postponed all Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina games scheduled for Tuesday.

Who was Jesús de Miguel?

De Miguel spent most of his career in Spain’s third tier, with Leganés B, Inter Madrid, Fuenlabrada, Navalcarnero, Unionistas de Salamanca and Castellón, according to The Guardian. He was Castellón’s top scorer when the club won promotion to the second division in 2024, and he joined Tenerife in 2025.

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