Tenerife striker dies after match collision

Jesús de Miguel died at 30 years old on Tuesday morning after his heart stopped during a match on Monday. The Tenerife forward collapsed on the pitch in the final minutes of a 2-2 draw against FC Andorra. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead the next day. De Miguel, known to teammates as "Demi," left behind a daughter born last year and the child's mother.

The incident occurred during added time in the first half of the second period. De Miguel was advancing through the center of the field after a teammate cleared a long pass. The Andorra goalkeeper rushed out of the penalty area and struck the striker unexpectedly. De Miguel fell to the ground, curled over his knees, and landed on his back with his arms at his sides. He suffered a cardiac arrest immediately after the collision.

Born in Madrid in 1996, De Miguel began his career with Leganés's reserve team in 2015. He moved between various clubs in the lower divisions around the Spanish capital for several years. His most productive season came in 2023 when he joined Castellón. He scored 16 goals that year, helping the club earn promotion to the second division.

After a difficult season in the second tier, De Miguel left the mainland in the summer of 2025 to join Tenerife in the Canary Islands. He returned to the third division and immediately regained his form. He scored six goals in his first five matches for the blue and white club. He finished the season with 11 total goals and helped Tenerife achieve promotion.

Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, the left-footed striker was a traditional forward accustomed to competing for high balls. Former teammate Fernando Román expressed his grief on social media, calling De Miguel humble, hardworking, and a good person. Román recalled vacations and shared moments with their children. "I don't believe you have left," Román wrote. "I did not consider you a friend. I considered you family."

Tenerife announced that De Miguel's body would be transported to Navahermosa in the province of Toledo at the family's request. Club officials and teammates will attend the final farewell. Tenerife president Felipe Miñambres stated that the club will unite in grief and honor the striker's memory. "We will make the tribute he deserves, and from then on, we will always carry him in our hearts," Miñambres said.