Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel dies aged 30 after on-pitch collision

Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel has died after suffering serious injuries during a Spanish second-division match against FC Andorra on Monday. The 30-year-old sustained head and chest injuries in a heavy collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who was sent off for the challenge. Tenerife and Andorra were drawing 2-2 seven minutes into stoppage time when the incident occurred. Owono ran towards the centre circle to clear a long ball when his knee appeared to collide with De Miguel. The striker lay motionless on the pitch as medical staff treated him before being taken by ambulance from Tenerife's Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez to hospital. Spanish media, including Marca, reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance and was resuscitated by paramedics on the way to hospital. His condition was described as stable but serious on Monday, but his health deteriorated on Tuesday morning and he died at 07:00 GMT. Reuters reported that police in Spain have opened an investigation for possible involuntary manslaughter following his death. Under Spanish law, any death deemed non-natural automatically triggers a judicial inquiry. Players from both teams were visibly distressed by the incident, with a number of De Miguel's team-mates in tears. The referee showed Owono a straight red card before abandoning the match. The goalkeeper, who had more than 30,000 Instagram followers on Tuesday morning, has since deactivated his account. Tenerife said in a statement: "Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true. There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can lessen this overwhelming sadness. We stand with his grieving family, with his loved ones, with all of Tenerife who mourn this cruel loss today." Club president Felipe Minambres said the players would need professional assistance to deal with the loss. "We are all feeling vulnerable and deeply saddened right now. It's hard to even believe what has happened," he said, adding that offers of support had already begun arriving and that the backing of fans would also be needed. Andorra issued a statement expressing shock and condolences, saying the club had maintained contact with Tenerife from the beginning and was providing psychological support to anyone affected. "We are deeply affected by what has happened and we share the pain that the club is experiencing," the statement said. Andorra co-owner and former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique wrote: "I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus." Tributes poured in from across football. La Liga president Javier Tebas offered his condolences, while Kylian Mbappe wrote "Much sadness, there are no words" and Lionel Messi said: "There are no words. My condolences and lots of strength to all his family and friends." Real Madrid and Arsenal squads observed minutes' silence before training on Tuesday, and De Miguel's former club Castellon also paid tribute. The Spanish football federation postponed Tuesday's Copa del Rey fixtures and a Copa del Reina match involving Espanyol. Born in Madrid, De Miguel began his career at Leganes in 2015 and played for eight Spanish clubs, including Fuenlabrada, Lugo, Union Adarve, Navalcarnero and Unionistas. He joined Castellon in 2023, scoring 16 goals as the club won promotion to the second division, before signing a three-year deal with Tenerife in 2025, where he scored 11 goals in 29 appearances. He is survived by his daughter, Carla de Miguel Fernandez, who was born in 2025. Fans have been leaving tributes at the Heliodoro stadium.