Europe pauses football as Tenerife mourns striker De Miguel

The football world united in mourning on Tuesday after Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died following a collision in a Spanish second‑division match.

Tributes were paid at matches across Europe, and a minute’s silence was observed before Tuesday’s Champions League fixtures.

Tributes and mourning

A minute’s silence was held before Tuesday evening’s Champions League matches across Europe.

The same tribute will be repeated for Wednesday’s fixtures and for all Europa League and Conference League matches this week.

Mourners laid flowers and lit candles beneath a black‑and‑white image of De Miguel at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, Tenerife’s home ground.

Tenerife announced on Tuesday evening that it will observe six official days of mourning, suspending all club activities during that period.

The club’s players, staff and officials will travel to Navahermosa, Toledo, for De Miguel’s funeral.

Tenerife will also open its stadium on Saturday evening to allow supporters to bid a fitting farewell.

In a statement the family thanked supporters and asked for privacy, adding “May he rest in peace.”

Jesus de Miguel had joined Tenerife in 2025 on a three‑year contract.

Fran Leon, president of Tenerife’s federation of supporters’ clubs, said the whole island and Canarias were in mourning.

Fan David Tejera said De Miguel’s effort and passion would endure in the club’s blue and white history.

Before Villarreal’s match against Paris Saint‑Germain, supporters held up a sign reading “DEP”, the abbreviation for “descanse en paz”.

Collision and immediate aftermath

The forward suffered head and chest injuries in a heavy collision with goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second‑division match against FC Andorra on Monday.

FIFA President Infantino silences Champions League and Europa League for Jesus de Miguel

Tenerife and Andorra were tied 2‑2 seven minutes into stoppage time when the incident occurred.

Owono ran towards the centre circle to clear a long ball when his knee appeared to collide with De Miguel.

The striker lay motionless on the pitch as medical staff treated him before he was taken by ambulance to hospital.

Players from both sides were visibly distressed, with several of De Miguel’s teammates in tears.

The referee showed Owono a straight red card before abandoning the match.

De Miguel’s condition was described as stable but serious on Monday, but his health deteriorated on Tuesday morning and he died that day.

Police have opened an investigation for possible involuntary manslaughter following the death.

Under Spanish law any non‑natural death automatically triggers a judicial inquiry.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor Jose Luis Sanchez‑Jauregui told EFE that criminal proceedings were “very unlikely”.

The goalkeeper, who had over 30,000 Instagram followers on Tuesday morning, has since deactivated his account.

Police probe Tenerife forward’s fatal clash with Andorra keeper

Reactions and legacy

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho expressed his sadness over the incident, calling it a “very, very difficult moment” for Owono.

Mourinho said the tragedy was shocking for the world of football and that “all our words and feelings go out to the family and friends of the player who passed away”.

He added that the situation was “very, very, very difficult” for Owono and “sad for everyone”.

Brazilian forward Raphinha, after scoring twice in Barcelona’s win over Aston Villa, said he did not want to talk about football and sent his condolences to De Miguel’s family.

A minute’s silence was also observed before Aston Villa’s Champions League visit to Barcelona.

De Miguel had been at Tenerife for just over a season, having joined in the summer of 2025 from Castellón.

The striker had helped Tenerife gain promotion to the second division.

He began his career with Leganés at youth level, later playing for Unionistas de Salamanca before signing for Castellón in 2023.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta described the incident as “heartbreaking” at a news conference.