Jesús De Miguel

Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel has been laid to rest following his death from injuries sustained during a second-division match on Monday.

The 30-year-old Tenerife forward died in hospital at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday after suffering a serious injury in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono. De Miguel received medical attention on the pitch before being taken to hospital, while the match was subsequently abandoned.

His funeral was held on Thursday in Navahermosa, Toledo, his parents’ hometown, approximately 125 kilometres from Madrid. Those attending included Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, Atlético Madrid chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and former Real Madrid and Spain coach José Antonio Camacho.

In a statement released through his agent, Manuel Hernández, De Miguel’s family thanked the football community for its messages of condolence and support.

The family said the affection shown towards the late striker and the impact he had on so many people would remain a lasting memory. They also appealed for privacy and space to grieve.

Tributes have continued since his death was announced. Supporters gathered outside Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, where Monday’s match took place, laying flowers and lighting candles beneath a black-and-white image of the player.

A minute’s silence was also observed in his honour at European matches this week.

Meanwhile, the Spanish footballers’ union, AFE, has called for all matches scheduled for this weekend to be postponed, saying players across the country’s leagues are not in the right emotional and psychological condition to compete.

The union said its members were unanimous that the matches should not proceed under the circumstances.

Tenerife’s fixture against Granada and Andorra’s match against Mallorca have already been postponed, alongside several midweek cup games.

Owono, who was sent off following the collision, has also expressed his grief, describing the period since De Miguel’s death as the most difficult days of his life. His statement was released through FC Andorra.

De Miguel joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025 and was the father of one child. His death has left the Spanish football community mourning a player whose impact extended beyond the pitch.

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(Editor: Ada Ononye)