Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter after Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, 30, died following an on-field collision with the opposing goalkeeper during a second-division match. Spain's National Police said Tuesday that prosecutors will also be involved, according to The Associated Press.
De Miguel died a day after suffering a cardiac arrest caused by the collision, according to the AP, Reuters and CD Tenerife. The club announced his death in a statement on Tuesday, saying: "Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., of Jesús de Miguel Alameda." The club added, "There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can lessen this overwhelming sadness. We stand with his grieving family, with his loved ones, with all of Tenerife who mourn this cruel loss today."
CD Tenerife said De Miguel's family is "grateful for each and every expression of support received," and asked "from the bottom of their hearts, the utmost respect for their privacy during these terrible times."
De Miguel was challenging for the ball near midfield on Monday when he was struck in the chest by Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during added time. He fell to his knees, clutching his torso for a few seconds, before falling onto his back with his arms at his sides. Owono was shown a red card for the incident and began walking off the pitch, but turned around and joined other players rushing to check on De Miguel. De Miguel was taken to a hospital, and the match, tied 2-2 at the time, was abandoned.
De Miguel, a Madrid native, made his professional debut in 2015 with Leganés B and went on to play for several lower-division clubs in Spain before joining Tenerife last year.
Tributes Across Spanish and European Football
FC Andorra posted a statement on X saying, "With broken hearts and devastation, we want to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel, to all his teammates, friends and to CD Tenerife."
FC Barcelona said in a post on X, "From FC Barcelona, we deeply regret the tragic news of the passing of Jesús de Miguel, CD Tenerife player. Our thoughts and support are with his family, friends and loved ones during these difficult times."
Real Madrid said in a statement on its website, "Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors deeply regret the passing of Jesús de Miguel, a player for CD Tenerife. Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and affection to his family, his teammates, his club and all his loved ones." Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé wrote on his Instagram Stories, "So much sadness. There are no words." Real Madrid's players also held a minute of silence for De Miguel during training.
Manchester United said tributes would be paid at its UEFA Champions League tie against Roma. "In his remembrance, a minute's silence will be observed before kick-off at Old Trafford and both teams will wear black armbands for the fixture," the club said in a statement, adding that respects had also been paid at that afternoon's UEFA Youth League match between its Under-19s and Roma's counterparts. "Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Jesus and everyone connected with CD Tenerife," United added.
UEFA said in a statement, "The European football community is mourning the loss of @CDTOficial forward Jesús de Miguel Alameda. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this incredibly difficult time," and added that a moment of silence would be observed at all UEFA matches that week in his memory.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency in which the heart suddenly stops beating and fails to pump blood to the brain and other vital organs. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada says 60,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospital settings each year in Canada, and one in ten people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Signs of cardiac arrest include sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, unresponsiveness to touch or sound, and not breathing or not breathing normally, the organization says.
