Spanish second-division soccer was shaken by tragedy on Tuesday morning when CD Tenerife announced the death of 30-year-old striker Jesús de Miguel. De Miguel sustained critical injuries during a Segunda División match against Andorra on Monday, after a violent collision in the closing seconds of the game. The incident occurred near the halfway line when Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who had advanced far from his goal to clear the ball, crashed into De Miguel at speed while the striker was chasing the play.
CD Tenerife striker succumbs to injuries following high-speed impact with Andorra goalkeeper
The severity of the impact was immediate and devastating. De Miguel initially clutched his chest before collapsing motionless on the pitch, prompting an abandoned match as medical staff rushed to his aid. Owono was instantly shown a red card for the dangerous challenge; however, the goalkeeper reportedly ran back from the tunnel to check on his opponent after witnessing the striker’s distress. While De Miguel was initially reported as “stable despite the severity of his condition” upon arrival at the hospital, his health deteriorated overnight with significant neurological decline, leading to his death on Tuesday.
This tragic event underscores the persistent risks of high-intensity collisions in professional soccer, particularly involving goalkeepers operating outside their penalty areas. The incident has sparked widespread mourning across the Spanish football community, with players from both clubs visibly devastated on the pitch. As investigations into the specific circumstances of the collision continue, the focus remains on the profound loss of a 30-year-old professional athlete and the urgent need for enhanced player safety protocols in high-speed matches.
Source: CNN
