FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono says he is experiencing “the most difficult days of my life” after Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, 30, died following a collision during a Spanish second division match on Monday. The football world is reeling from the news, paying tribute to a player lost too soon, while the goalkeeper involved is grappling with unimaginable pain.
The On-Field Incident That Shocked Everyone
The tragic collision happened on Monday, seven minutes into stoppage time, with Tenerife and Andorra tied 2-2. Owono reportedly ran towards the center circle, attempting to clear a long ball, when his knee appeared to collide with De Miguel. The striker lay motionless on the pitch after the incident, and medical staff immediately treated him. He was then taken by ambulance from Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez to a hospital. In the immediate aftermath, Owono was sent off, and the match was abandoned. Spanish police have since opened a routine investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, a standard judicial inquiry under Spanish law for any non-natural death. Owono, who had over 30,000 Instagram followers just Tuesday morning, has since deactivated his account, a small sign of the immense personal struggle he is enduring.
A Keeper’s Unimaginable Pain and a World in Mourning
On Wednesday, FC Andorra issued a statement on Owono’s behalf, explaining that the 25-year-old goalkeeper wanted to share a few words personally. “These are the most difficult days of my life,” Owono’s statement read. “I struggle to find the words, and it is very hard for me to come to terms with what has happened.” He continued, expressing profound grief: “I feel enormous pain over the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family, and everyone who loved him. I know there will be many issues to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesus and the pain we are all experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus.”
The football community has responded with widespread grief and support. De Miguel, a father-of-one, had only joined Tenerife in summer 2025. A minute’s silence is being held at all European competition games this week in tribute to him. Even Owono’s own teammates at FC Andorra held a minute’s silence before a voluntary training session on Wednesday, a session Owono did not attend. His team-mate, centre-back Lautaro Spatz, took to social media to defend Owono, stating that he “would never intentionally hurt anyone” and was “deeply affected” by De Miguel’s death. Spatz added, “Those of us who know him know the kind of person he is, how much he is suffering at this moment and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone. In football, unfortunate incidents can happen but no-one could imagine that one of them might end with such tragic consequences.” Owono, who has 47 international appearances for Equatorial Guinea, also received “all our human and professional backing” from his country’s football federation president, Venancio Tomas Micha.
The game we love can be so cruel, and this week, it feels like the whole world is holding its breath for everyone involved.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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