The prosecutor said criminal proceedings appeared unlikely because the collision happened during play.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Spain – Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel died on Tuesday at age 30, a day after he suffered cardiac arrest following a collision with the opposing goalkeeper in a Spanish second-division match.
The club said he died at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. De Miguel was challenging for the ball near midfield in added time of Monday’s match against FC Andorra when he was struck in the chest by Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who was running out to clear. Owono was shown a red card, and as he walked off he turned back to check on De Miguel. De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest, his pulse was restored in the ambulance, and he was taken to hospital, where the club said his condition worsened neurologically.
Spain’s National Police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, and prosecutors will be involved. The chief prosecutor in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, told the agency EFE that criminal proceedings appeared unlikely because the collision occurred during play. No one has been charged. There were no local reports that De Miguel had a preexisting health condition, ESPN reported.
The Spanish soccer federation postponed two Copa del Rey matches and one Copa de la Reina match, and teams in Tuesday’s Champions League matches paid tribute. Lionel Messi also paid tribute. The club said it was “heartbroken.” Tenerife fans left flowers.
De Miguel, a native of Madrid, began his senior career with Leganés B in 2015, played for eight teams and helped lift Castellón and then Tenerife into the second tier. He joined Tenerife in 2025. He is survived by his wife and their daughter. His family thanked supporters and asked for privacy.
This report draws on information from ESPN, ABC News, CBS News and CNN.