Jesús Owono Describes Hardest Days Following Death of Jesús de Miguel

Jesús Owono Describes Hardest Days Following Death of Jesús de Miguel

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FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono described the days following the on-field collision that killed Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel as the hardest days of my life, as the soccer world grappled with the aftermath of the tragedy.

De Miguel died on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the age of 30 after suffering cardiac arrest during a Spanish second division match. The collision occurred in added time at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López in Santa Cruz de Tenerife when Owono raced out of his goal and crashed into the striker as both challenged for a long ball. De Miguel was treated on the field for five minutes before being taken to a hospital, where he never regained consciousness.

Owono Expresses Grief over De Miguel's Death

In a statement released by FC Andorra, Owono expressed his profound grief. These are being the hardest days of my life. I find it hard to find the words and very difficult to assimilate what has happened. I feel a huge pain, the loss of Jesús. I am thinking about him, his family and all the people who loved him. The club confirmed it is offering psychological support to anyone at the club who needed it after De Miguel’s death.

Police Probe Death as Accidental Chest Trauma

The National Police said proceedings were opened into the death, which is routine in cases of non-natural causes. Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui told the Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings against Owono were “very unlikely.” The probe is focusing on the events before and after the collision, including the medical response.

A preliminary autopsy report obtained by The Sun and confirmed by the Canary Islands High Court of Justice revealed De Miguel’s cause of death was accidental chest trauma. The court, however, noted the full contents of the report remain confidential out of respect for the family’s privacy. Tenerife had reported that medics were able to recover a pulse in the ambulance before De Miguel was admitted to intensive care.

Family Thanks Supporters for Condolences

The soccer world responded with an outpouring of grief. De Miguel’s family released a statement thanking supporters for their condolences while asking for privacy. The family of Jesús de Miguel thanks each and every one of the expressions of support received, and likewise requests, from the heart, the utmost respect for their privacy in these terrible moments.

Jesús Owono Describes Hardest Days Following Death of Jesús de Miguel
Photo: Sports Illustrated

A final homage was held at Tenerife’s stadium on Saturday evening. On Thursday, De Miguel was laid to rest in Navahermosa, his family’s hometown in Toledo province. The funeral was attended by representatives from numerous clubs, including Tenerife, Atlético Madrid, and Sevilla, as well as officials from the RFEF.

Barcelona’s Raphinha, who learned of the news during a Champions League match, said it was “quite difficult” to play. He’s a fellow player and it could have happened to anyone. It could have happened to me. He was the same age as me. Como’s Nico Paz dedicated a Champions League goal to De Miguel, lifting his jersey to reveal a photo of the striker with the words “Rest in Peace.”

Debate Over Postponed Matches

The tragedy has sparked debate over whether this weekend’s matches should proceed. While senior officials are studying the possibility, consideration is being given to the postponement of matches scheduled Friday, Nov. 6 to Monday, Nov. 9. Tenerife’s match against Granada, originally set for Saturday, has already been postponed.

Spanish national team coach Luis de la Fuente attended the funeral. The emotional toll extends beyond the pitch, with De Miguel remembered not only as a player but as a neighbor, the friend and the teammate.

More on this story: Lautaro Spatz: Owono ‘would never intentionally hurt anyone’ after De Miguel’s death

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