Footballer dies after collision in Spanish second division match

Spanish second-tier footballer Jesús de Miguel has died after suffering serious injuries during a league match between CD Tenerife and FC Andorra on Monday.

The 30-year-old striker sustained severe head and chest injuries following a heavy collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono deep into stoppage time.

Tenerife and Andorra were level at 2-2 when Owono raced from his goal to clear a long ball near the centre circle. His knee appeared to strike De Miguel, who collapsed and lay motionless on the pitch.

Medical staff treated the forward for several minutes before he was taken by ambulance from the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López to hospital. Players from both teams were visibly shaken by the incident, with several Tenerife players in tears. The referee showed Owono a straight red card before abandoning the match.

De Miguel’s condition was initially described as stable but serious. However, Spanish media reported that he suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance and was revived by paramedics on the way to hospital. His condition worsened overnight, and he died on Tuesday at 7 AM GMT (8 AM local time).

Announcing the news, Tenerife said: “Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death of Jesús de Miguel Alameda.

“There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can lessen this overwhelming sadness. We stand with his grieving family, his loved ones and all of Tenerife who mourn this cruel loss today.”

Following De Miguel’s death, the Spanish Football Federation postponed Tuesday’s Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina fixtures as a mark of respect.

Born in Madrid, De Miguel began his professional career with Leganés in 2015 and went on to represent several Spanish clubs, including Lugo, Fuenlabrada, Internacional Madrid, Unión Adarve, Navalcarnero and Unionistas.

He joined Castellón in 2023 and played a key role in their promotion to Spain’s second division, scoring 16 goals during the campaign. In 2025, he signed a three-year contract with Tenerife and scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for the club.

De Miguel is survived by his daughter, Carla de Miguel Fernández, who was born in 2025.

More: BBC Sport