Tenerife’s Jesus de Miguel remembered in moving tributes by football world

What the report says

The football world has been paying tribute to CD Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel after he died following an on-field collision during a Spanish second division match. Al Jazeera reported that the 30-year-old was hurt in a challenge with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, received treatment on the pitch, and later suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance on the way to hospital.

Tenerife said it was in deep mourning and announced six days of official grief, suspending club activity and arranging for players and staff to attend de Miguel’s funeral in Navahermosa, in Spain’s Toledo province. The club also plans a tribute at its home stadium, Heliodoro, while the Royal Spanish Football Federation postponed domestic matches and UEFA ordered a minute’s silence at Champions League games this week.

Across Europe, clubs, players and fans shared condolences. Barcelona and Aston Villa observed tributes on Tuesday night, and several high-profile players, including Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Ferran Torres and Pedri, posted messages of support. Al Jazeera also noted that fans gathered outside Tenerife’s stadium with flowers and candles.

Owono said on social media that he never meant to injure de Miguel and described the incident as a terrible accident. According to the report, local police have opened an investigation, though criminal charges appear unlikely at this stage. The tragedy has also drawn comparisons with past football accidents, including Patrick Battiston’s collision in the 1982 World Cup semifinal.