Spanish police investigate death of Tenerife striker after on-field collision

Spanish National Police opened an involuntary homicide investigation on Tuesday following the death of a professional soccer player during a match. The case centers on Jesús de Miguel, a 30-year-old forward for CD Tenerife, who suffered a cardiac arrest after colliding with the goalkeeper of the opposing team.

The incident occurred during a second-division match between Tenerife and FC Andorra on Monday. De Miguel was challenging for a ball near the midfield when he struck chest-first with Jesús Owono, the Andorra goalkeeper. Owono had been running from the opposite direction in an apparent attempt to clear a long pass. The collision happened during stoppage time. De Miguel remained on his knees for several seconds before collapsing on his back. The match, which was tied 2-2, was suspended immediately after the incident.

Owono was shown a direct red card for the action. After leaving the pitch, the goalkeeper turned back to join other players attending to De Miguel. The police investigation is standard procedure in Spain for deaths from non-natural causes, including accidents. The lead prosecutor in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, told the news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely because the collision occurred during active play.

Tenerife, based in the Canary Islands, described the club as "devastated." Rayco García, the club's largest shareholder, stated that De Miguel's body would be transferred to Navahermosa in the province of Toledo at the request of his family. García said teammates and officials would be present for a final farewell. A fan tribute is scheduled for Saturday at the club's stadium. The club also requested a postponement of its league match in Granada that day.

Felipe Miñambres, the club president, said the players and their families would need professional support to cope with the loss. "We will need professional help and the support of all our fans," he said. "They will feel what we feel today." The club added in a statement that there were no words to console the family. De Miguel, a native of Madrid, began his senior career with Leganés B in 2015 and joined Tenerife last year. Local media reported that he is survived by a wife and a daughter. No prior health conditions were reported, and the specific medical cause of death was not immediately available.

The soccer world reacted to the news. FC Andorra, owned by former Barcelona player Gerard Piqué, sent condolences. Piqué wrote on X: "I feel it with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesús." Real Madrid players observed a minute of silence during training. Kylian Mbappé posted, "What sadness. No words." Lionel Messi shared, "No words. My condolences and a lot of strength to his whole family and friends." The Spanish Football Federation postponed all Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday. UEFA announced a minute of silence for all its matches this week.

Fatal on-field collisions in soccer are rare. In 2025, a 19-year-old goalkeeper died from head injuries sustained in a fifth-division match. In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died after a collision while playing for CSKA Moscow. In 1987, Málaga goalkeeper José Antonio Gallardo died more than three weeks after a clash with a Celta de Vigo forward in a second-division game. The Andorra goalkeeper Owono, who has nearly 30,000 Instagram followers, deactivated his account on Tuesday. Another player with the same surname, Michel Owono, reported receiving racist insults from people who mistook him for the Andorra goalkeeper.