The CD Tenerife striker suffered cardiac arrest after a stoppage-time collision with Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesús Owono

The death of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel has prompted tributes across European football, with Spanish police investigating the circumstances of the collision that preceded his death during a league match.

Stoppage-time collision with Owono

The 30-year-old died at a hospital on Nov. 3 after suffering cardiac arrest following a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during their Spanish second-division fixture the previous evening.

The incident happened in stoppage time, when Owono left his penalty area to challenge for a long ball and struck De Miguel in the chest with his knee. The match, which was level at 2-2, was abandoned.

Medical personnel treated De Miguel on the pitch before rushing him to Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Hospital in Tenerife. He was initially reported to be stable but remained in intensive care before his condition deteriorated. The exact medical cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

Police open inquiry

Spain’s National Police have opened an investigation into a possible involuntary manslaughter offense.

However, the chief prosecutor in Santa Cruz de Tenerife said criminal proceedings were unlikely because the collision happened during active play. The inquiry is also a routine judicial requirement when a death is classified as non-natural.

Tributes across European football

Tributes have continued across the sport. UEFA called for moments of silence at European matches this week, while Champions League teams observed tributes before their fixtures on Wednesday.

Tenerife declared six days of mourning, and supporters have gathered outside its stadium to leave flowers, light candles and remember the forward.

A Madrid-born forward

Born in Madrid, De Miguel joined Tenerife ahead of the 2025–26 season after playing for several lower-division Spanish clubs. He scored 11 goals last season.

Owono, the goalkeeper involved in the collision, is an international for Equatorial Guinea.