CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel has died following a horror tackle by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono in a Spanish second-division match on Monday 2nd November 2026. He is survived by his daughter Carla de Miguel Fernandez who was born in 2025.
The striker sustained head and chest injuries after a heavy challenge from Owono after he raced forward attempting to latch onto a long pass forward. Owono was immediately sent off after the challenge with Jesus De Miguel who lay motionless on the pitch before medics were called and play was stopped. Both clubs were drawing 2-2; it was seven minutes into stoppage time at the time of the incident.
Immediately after the match, CD Tenerife released a statement saying that De Miguel’s condition was ‘stable but serious’ on Monday but his health deteriorated on Tuesday morning, with the Spaniard passing away at 10:00pm East African Time.
A club statement released by Tenerife shortly after his death described De Miguel’s death as a cruel loss
“Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death of Jesus 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, with his loved ones, with all of Tenerife who mourn this cruel loss today. The family of Jesus de Miguel is grateful for each and every expression of support received, and also requests, from the bottom of their hearts, the utmost respect for their privacy during these terrible times,” the statement read.
FC Andorra is co-owned by former Barcelona and Spain international defender Gerard Pique who released a short statement saying he was ‘sorry.’
De Miguel was born in Madrid and started his career at Leganes in 2015 before going on to play for a total of 8 different teams within the Spanish football league set up.
After several years playing for Lugo Fuenlabrada and Internacional Madrid, he joined Fuenlabrada before also appearing for Union Adarve, Navalcarnero and Unionistas. He later joined Castellon in 2023 and scored 16 goals as the club achieved promotion to Spain’s second division for the 2024/25 season.
The Spaniard joined Tenerife on a three-year deal in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for the side.
What Are The Rules Governing Concussion In Football After Jesus De Miguel Death?
Jesus De Miguel’s death has brought the football rules into sharp focus. In 2023, the international Football Board Association (IFAB) passed regulations governing concussion and head injuries in football. Under law 3 of ‘Concussion Substitutions and Protocols,’ competitions are allowed to use additional permanent concussion substitutions in accordance with established protocols. Nearly all FIFA-recognized competitions and football leagues have since adopted it.
Which Other Players Have Died While Playing Football?
Following Jesus De Miguel’s sad passing, a number of players have also previously died while still active. Below is a list with recent examples.
- Former Newcastle and Ivory Coast midfielder died in 2017 after collapsing during a training session with Beijing Enterprises. He was 30 years old
- KF Egnatia’s Raphael Dwamena died in 2023 of a sudden cardiac arrest during a local league match. He was aged 28 at the time of his death in Albania.
- Patrick Ekeng of Dinamo București also died in 2006 of a sudden heart attack after collapsing during a match in the Romanian league. He was 26 years old.
- 22-year-old Sevilla player Antonio Puerta died in 2007 of multiple cardiac arrests during a La Liga match due to arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.
- Cameroon’s Marc-Vivien Foe also collapsed and died in 2003 during a FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final. He was 28 years old.
As football leagues continue developing rules to tighten regulations around injuries and better protect players, it is also important to assess the psychological well-being of players named to take part in the sport. The sport should not be destroyed by lapses in due diligence. Dropping balls in the background assessment of players who lack the mental strength to handle provocation during matches is tantamount to endangering the lives of those who work so hard to reach the top.
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