A Spanish soccer star has died after a devastating collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a match, leaving teammates in shock and prompting police to investigate whether anyone could face criminal responsibility.
Jesús de Miguel, 30, a striker for CD Tenerife, died Tuesday, November 3, just hours after suffering cardiac arrest following a violent collision during Monday’s game against FC Andorra in Spain’s second division.
The tragedy unfolded in the 96th minute at Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium, with the teams tied 2-2. De Miguel was racing toward a long pass when Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono charged out of his penalty area in an attempt to clear the ball.
Owono leaped with his knee raised and struck De Miguel in the chest, sending the forward crashing to the ground. As the seriousness of the collision became clear, players from both teams desperately signaled for medical assistance.
The referee immediately showed Owono a red card, but the match soon became secondary as emergency crews rushed to save De Miguel’s life.
Medical personnel worked to resuscitate the injured player after he suffered cardiac arrest. His pulse was eventually restored, and he was transported to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, where he remained in intensive care.
Despite initial reports that his condition had stabilized, De Miguel suffered further deterioration overnight. Tenerife confirmed that he died at approximately 8 a.m. Tuesday, sending shockwaves through Spanish soccer.
The match was abandoned, and what began as an ordinary league contest quickly became the center of a police investigation.
Spain’s National Police homicide division has opened an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death, including whether the collision could amount to involuntary manslaughter.
However, authorities stressed that investigations are standard procedure in Spain whenever someone dies from non-natural causes, including accidents. No criminal charges have been announced.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s chief prosecutor, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely because the collision occurred during active play. Investigators will examine the referee’s report and the findings of soccer’s disciplinary authorities before determining whether further action is warranted.
Owono, 25, has also spoken publicly about the tragedy after receiving a barrage of online abuse.
“These are the most difficult days of my life,” the goalkeeper said Wednesday in a statement released by Andorra. He described struggling to process what had happened and said his thoughts remained with De Miguel and his grieving family.
His teammate Lautaro Spatz defended him, insisting the goalkeeper would never intentionally hurt another player.
De Miguel, affectionately nicknamed “Demi,” had spent more than a decade pursuing his soccer dreams. Born in Madrid in 1996, he began his senior career with Leganés’ reserve team before playing for several Spanish clubs.
He enjoyed a breakthrough season with Castellón, scoring 16 goals and helping the team win promotion. He later joined Tenerife, where he became a valued member of the squad.
Away from the field, De Miguel was a devoted father to a young daughter born last year.
His death has sparked an outpouring of grief across Spain, with fans gathering outside Tenerife’s stadium to leave flowers, candles and heartfelt messages.
The tragedy has also reached soccer’s biggest stages. UEFA called for moments of silence at European matches, while major Spanish clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, paid tribute to the fallen player.
Tenerife president Felipe Miñambres said the club was determined to honor the striker’s memory.
“We need to give Demi the tribute he deserves,” he said, promising that the player would forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.
As Spanish authorities continue examining the fatal collision, a grieving soccer community is left mourning a promising athlete whose life ended just as he was building a future for his young family.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.