Global stars Messi and Mbappe join Tenerife's mourning for de Miguel
Global icons Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe joined an outpouring of grief on 4 November 2026 in ISTANBUL after CD Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, 30, collapsed during a 2‑2 Segunda División draw and died the following day, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances.
Tributes and media coverage
Messi and Mbappe were among the first to post tributes to de Miguel on social media.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world after the forward’s death.
The accompanying Photo shows de Miguel celebrating his goal against AD Mérida in a Primera Federación match in Sept 2025.
The story appeared in a News analysis covering Politics and the war on Terror.
Incident details and investigation
Jesús de Miguel died aged 30 following a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a Spanish second‑division match, prompting a police investigation.
The incident occurred in a 2‑2 draw at Tenerife on Monday, where de Miguel suffered cardiac arrest after being struck in the chest.
He died in hospital on Tuesday, the club confirmed.
Spain’s National Police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter.
Under Spanish law, deaths resulting from non‑natural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial investigation.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez‑Jauregui told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely because the collision occurred during normal play.
Mourning Jesus De Miguel and legal storm around Andorra goalkeeper
The collision happened in stoppage time when de Miguel chased a long ball near midfield and Owono rushed out of his penalty area to challenge for it.
Owono, approaching from the opposite direction, struck the forward in the chest, leading to a straight red card.
De Miguel dropped to his knees, clutching his torso, then collapsed onto his back with his arms at his sides before receiving emergency medical attention and being taken to hospital.
The match was abandoned following the incident.
Owono’s Instagram account, which had nearly 30,000 followers, was deactivated on Tuesday.
Michel Owono, a sixth‑division player for Can Vidalet, reported receiving racist abuse after being mistakenly identified as the Andorra goalkeeper.
Club mourning and future plans
Tenerife, based in the Canary Islands, said it was devastated by the loss of a player affectionately known as “Demi” among teammates.
The club issued a statement saying there are no words of comfort and nothing can alleviate this profound sense of sorrow, standing with his family and the Tenerife community.
World football mourns Tenerife striker as Messi and others honour him
Club president Felipe Miñambres said players, families and supporters would need professional assistance to cope, adding that they would feel the same as the club does today.
Tenerife requested the postponement of its scheduled league match against Granada on Saturday.
Largest shareholder Rayco García said de Miguel’s body would be transported to Navahermosa in Toledo province at the family’s request.
Teammates and club officials will be present for a final farewell, and supporters are expected to gather at the stadium on Saturday to honour the forward.
“We will all join forces and get through this together,” García said.
Miñambres said Tenerife wants to ensure de Miguel receives a fitting tribute and will remain part of the club’s history.