Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel has died at the age of 30, hours after a mid-match collision left him with a cardiac arrest. The Tenerife striker was injured during a game against Andorra FC on Tuesday when he received a flying knee to the chest from opposing goalkeeper Jesus Owono. Owono was sent off following the incident, and the match was abandoned.
De Miguel was reportedly revived by paramedics on the pitch before being taken to the Nuestra Senora Candelaria University Hospital in Tenerife. His club, CD Tenerife, confirmed his passing on Tuesday morning, stating they were "heartbroken" and had a "lump in their throats."
His girlfriend, Maria, and their one-year-old daughter, Carla, were at the stadium to watch the match. A close friend of De Miguel, Fernando Roman, told Vamos a Ver that Maria was alone at the hospital with their daughter prior to the footballer's death, and that she had been "hit very hard" by the tragedy. De Miguel's parents later traveled to Tenerife to join them. A neighbor recounted that De Miguel's father became emotional after seeing the collision on television at his bar.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding De Miguel's death, including the emergency medical response. Legal experts suggest that while Owono may face a lengthy ban, criminal charges are unlikely given the incident occurred during open play. Owono, who has reportedly expressed a desire to apologize to De Miguel's family, has not yet made a public statement. FC Andorra also extended their condolences to De Miguel's family, friends, and club.