Spanish Football Mourns CD Tenerife Striker Jesús de Miguel After Cardiac Arrest
Spanish football is in mourning following the tragic passing of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who died Tuesday morning at the age of 30. The athlete suffered a cardiac arrest after a collision during Monday’s match against FC Andorra, a situation that has deeply affected the footballing community. In response, Spanish authorities have launched an investigation, while the country’s football federation has postponed all scheduled cup matches for Tuesday.
The incident occurred during stoppage time at Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium with the score tied at 2-2. De Miguel, who was recently brought on as a substitute, pursued a long ball when Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono rushed out to challenge him. The goalkeeper’s knee struck De Miguel in the chest, causing him to collapse unconscious on the field. Owono received a straight red card for the challenge, and medical personnel rushed to administer aid to De Miguel.
After suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest, De Miguel required resuscitation before being transported to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria. Initially, Tenerife reported that he was in serious yet stable condition; however, an update early Tuesday revealed a deterioration in his neurological status. Tragically, the club announced his passing at 8 a.m. local time, leading to the abandonment of the match as players and officials agreed it could not continue.
The Spanish National Police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death, with the case being supervised judicially. This inquiry aims to establish the exact details of the incident but does not imply any criminal liability regarding the collision.
In light of De Miguel’s death, the Spanish Football Federation has announced the postponement of Tuesday’s Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches. The federation also canceled the presentation for Spain’s upcoming Under-21 match against Japan, emphasizing the need for respect and solidarity during this difficult time.
Tributes have flowed in from across the football world. UEFA has confirmed a moment of silence will be observed at all its matches this week in honor of the Tenerife forward. Both Tenerife and Andorra have expressed heartfelt condolences, and many players, clubs, and football organizations have extended their support to De Miguel’s family and teammates. Tenerife’s statement included a request from his family for privacy during this challenging time.
De Miguel’s journey in football is a testament to perseverance. Born in Madrid, he dedicated years to competing in Spain’s lower divisions before making significant strides with CD Castellón, where he scored 16 league goals during the 2023-24 season, aiding his team in securing promotion to the second tier. After joining Tenerife in July 2025, he was instrumental in helping the club earn promotion back to the second division, netting 11 goals during that campaign.
At just 30, De Miguel continued to pursue his dreams in professional football. His untimely passing has left a profound impact on his teammates, opponents, and the broader football community. As tributes pour in, the focus remains on honoring a player whose dedication and determination inspired many, reflecting a shared silence in the sport that speaks volumes.
