Spanish player De Miguel dies after collision

CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel yesterday died as a result of injuries he sustained in a sickening collision with FC Andorra’s goalkeeper in a Spanish second division match.

“Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe this is real, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, at 8am, of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” his club said in a statement. “No words can ease the pain, nothing can lessen this great feeling of sadness. Our thoughts are with the family, his close friends and Tenerife fans, who today are grieving over this terrible news.”

De Miguel, 30, was fouled in the middle of the pitch by Equatorial Guinea international goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who had raced out of his goal.

Late striker Jesus de Miguel celebrates a goal in an undated photograph released by CD Tenerife yesterday.

Photo: CD Tenerife via AFP

The incident happened toward the end of the match, which was tied at 2-2. Owono was sent off, and the match was subsequently abandoned.

Spanish media said that De Miguel had a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated, with Tenerife later saying the player’s condition had “worsened neurologically,” before his death.

De Miguel had been at Tenerife for just more than a season, having joined in the summer of last year from CD Castellon.

“I am so deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesus,” former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, Andorra’s majority shareholder, wrote on social media.

Andorra also sent their “most sincere condolences” to De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and other clubs in Spain also sent messages of condolence, as well as the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

“Shattered by this sad news, the Royal Spanish Football Federation wishes to express our deepest sorrow at his passing today,” it said in a statement.