Headline: Tenerife Mourns Loss of Footballer Jesus de Miguel Following Tragic Accident
As visitors arrive on the holiday island of Tenerife, a palpable sense of grief envelops the community following the passing of footballer Jesus de Miguel.
The Canary Island community is in mourning for the Tenerife striker, who succumbed to injuries after a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Monday match.
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The 30-year-old quickly became a fan favorite, netting 11 goals in his first season as Tenerife celebrated its promotion to Spain’s second tier.
Now, the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium has transformed into a memorial site, with hundreds of supporters gathering over the past few days to lay flowers, light candles, and pay their respects.
Tributes including bouquets, rosettes sent by various clubs from Spain, prayer cards, photos, children’s drawings, and scarves have been placed around the area outside gate nine.
The scene is heart-wrenching, as fans and local residents stand silently, absorbing the profound loss.
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Many attendees appear visibly moved, as the weight of the tragedy becomes ever more apparent at the very location where the incident took place.
‘Football has no colours’
Tourists Lisa and Lee, visiting Tenerife from Stoke-on-Trent, also came to offer their condolences.
Having arrived for a holiday over the weekend, they attended the match on Monday, eager to experience Spanish football for the first time.
“We never expected something like this to happen,” they shared with BBC Sport.
“We realized it was serious when the players surrounded him [De Miguel], but seeing them crying and praying on the pitch was incredibly emotional.
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“When we learned about the news the next day, it truly hit home.”
The couple described the atmosphere within the stadium as solemn and largely silent as spectators awaited updates on De Miguel’s condition.
“You always hope for a positive outcome,” Lee reflected. “And then to see the news the following day was just unbelievable.”
They returned to the stadium on Wednesday to lay a Port Vale shirt among the tributes, expressing their solidarity with the Tenerife community.
“Football has no colours,” Lisa noted. “If it were one of our players, we would be heartbroken. They become a part of your family.”
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‘He’s already a legend at the club’
For Carlos, a player on Tenerife’s disability team, the loss hits particularly close to home.
“Honestly, there are no words to describe him. He was incredible,” Carlos said as he placed a flag on the ground.
He characterized De Miguel as a pivotal figure who greatly influenced the club’s recent successes.
“He poured his heart and soul into the shirt. He’s already a legend at the club because, just a few years ago, we were in a very tough spot, and he helped us rise from that.”
“Without him, I doubt we would be where we are today.”
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Having attended Monday’s match, Carlos recounted his shock as events unfolded on the field.
“When I left the stadium, I was trembling, and it lingered for hours.”
“Right now, we’re deeply hurt and incredibly saddened. I also want to extend my support to his family, who must be absolutely devastated.”
‘The club is broken. Absolutely heartbroken’
The impact of this tragedy extends well beyond the stadium.
Poli Suarez, the minister for education and sport in the Canary Islands, expressed that Tenerife is in “complete mourning.”
“Canarian sport has been left devastated,” Suarez told BBC Sport. “The club is broken. Absolutely heartbroken.”
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Suarez emphasized that thoughts are with De Miguel’s wife, daughter, and extended family.
“They are the ones bearing the heaviest burden from this loss, just as the Tenerife supporters are,” he stated.
The government has pledged support to the club, its players, and its supporters, with Suarez referring to De Miguel as a footballer who has become part of the Canary Islands’ sporting legacy.
“The loss of Jesus de Miguel is now part of our history,” he remarked.
“Not only because of the circumstances surrounding his death, but due to the affection he consistently showed toward our island and his club.”
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A further tribute is scheduled for Saturday at 18:00 GMT, encouraging supporters to gather and honor his memory.
“It will be a chance to showcase our affection and emotions, demonstrating solidarity with the family,” Suarez added.
“We want to convey all our love for Jesus de Miguel.”
