Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel dies at 30 after goalkeeper collision

Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel suffered cardiac arrest after a knee-first challenge by goalkeeper Jesus Owono during stoppage time of the Tenerife-Andorra match in Spain’s Segunda División and died in hospital, where he had been in intensive care. Sky Sports reported that Spanish police are investigating the death on suspicion of negligent homicide.

Spanish football is mourning Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died after a collision on the field. The 30-year-old player, known in football circles by the nickname “Demi,” suffered cardiac arrest after colliding with the opposing goalkeeper during Monday evening’s Tenerife-Andorra match. Tenerife announced that the player died at 8 a.m. on Tuesday at Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, where he was receiving treatment.

In the match played at Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium during the 12th round of Spain’s Segunda División, Tenerife had taken a 2-0 lead before Andorra equalized with goals in the 80th and 87th minutes. During stoppage time, De Miguel ran toward the ball to launch a counterattack when Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who had come outside the penalty area, challenged him with his knee forward. The player collapsed after taking a blow to the chest and lost consciousness.

His heart stopped on the field and was restarted in the ambulance

Referee Pérez Hernández showed Owono a red card. Medical teams treated De Miguel after his heart stopped on the field; after resuscitation and stabilization, he was taken to hospital in an advanced ambulance and admitted to intensive care. The match was not resumed. The club initially described his condition as “serious but stable,” but it worsened overnight, and Tenerife announced that his neurological condition had deteriorated.

Tenerife announced the death with the words, “Shattered with grief, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is real,” adding, “There are no words that can offer comfort.” The club thanked the family for the messages of support and requested the utmost respect for their privacy.

Police launch investigation

Sky Sports reported that Spanish police are investigating De Miguel’s death as suspected negligent homicide. Andorra expressed its condolences, saying, “Our hearts are broken; we are devastated,” while club president Gerard Piqué shared the message, “I am deeply saddened with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus.” Spanish media reported that Owono was devastated and wanted to apologize to the player’s family.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also postponed the King’s Cup and Queen’s Cup matches scheduled for November 3 “as a gesture of respect and solidarity” and canceled the promotional program ahead of the Under-21 national team’s match against Japan. Real Madrid players held a minute of silence at their morning training session, while Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano also issued messages of condolence.

A career from the lower leagues to the Segunda División

Born in Madrid in 1996, De Miguel came through the youth systems of Leganés and Lugo Fuenlabrada. The striker also played for Fuenlabrada, Navalcarnero, Unionistas de Salamanca and Castellón, becoming the top scorer in his group during the 2023-24 season and helping Castellón gain promotion to the Segunda División. After joining Tenerife in 2025, he also celebrated promotion to the Segunda División with the club this year.

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Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel dies at 30 after goalkeeper collision