Football pays tribute after Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel dies

Tributes have been paid across European football after Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel died on Tuesday, a day after suffering serious head and chest injuries in a collision during a match against FC Andorra.

The 30-year-old was taken to hospital after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono in stoppage time on Monday. Tenerife had initially described his condition as stable but serious; it deteriorated on Tuesday morning, and he died at 07:00 GMT.

A minute’s silence was held before Tuesday’s Champions League matches and is due to be repeated at Wednesday’s fixtures, as well as this week’s Europa League and Conference League games. Tenerife said it would suspend club activities for six official days of mourning. The club will open its stadium on Saturday evening so supporters can pay their respects, and its players, staff and officials are due to attend De Miguel’s funeral in Navahermosa, Toledo.

The club said De Miguel’s family thanked people for their messages of support and asked for privacy. Mourners have laid flowers and lit candles outside Tenerife’s home ground, the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López.

The collision happened with the match against Andorra level at 2-2. Owono ran towards the centre circle to clear a long ball and appeared to strike De Miguel with his knee. De Miguel was treated on the pitch and taken to hospital by ambulance. The referee sent Owono off and abandoned the match.

Reuters reported that Spanish police had opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter. Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui told the EFE news agency that criminal proceedings were “very unlikely”. Spanish law triggers a judicial inquiry into deaths deemed non-natural.

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho called the incident shocking and said it would be a “very, very difficult moment” for Owono as well as for De Miguel’s family and friends. Barcelona forward Raphinha also sent condolences to the family.

Tenerife supporters’ clubs president Fran León said the island was in mourning. Fellow players, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Nadal, also posted tributes. De Miguel joined Tenerife in 2025 from Castellón and helped the club gain promotion to Spain’s second division.