The Spanish town of Navahermosa witnessed an outpouring of grief on Thursday as family, friends, and football dignitaries gathered to bid farewell to Jesus de Miguel, the Tenerife forward whose death following an on-pitch collision has shocked the sporting world.
De Miguel, 30, succumbed to injuries sustained during a Spanish second division match on Monday. The father-of-one passed away in hospital at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday, hours after colliding with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono. The game was abandoned, and Owono was sent off for the challenge.
A Family's Gratitude
In a statement released through his agent, Manuel Hernandez, the de Miguel family expressed their heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming support they have received. "We cannot find enough words to thank you for every message, every phone call and every gesture of affection," they said. "Feeling such affection for Jesus and seeing the mark he has left on so many people is something we will always carry with us."
The family also asked for privacy, saying: "We need to grieve in the peace and quiet that this situation demands."
Among the mourners were Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, and former Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho. Their presence underscored the respect De Miguel commanded across the football community.
An Island in Mourning
In Tenerife, where De Miguel had played since joining the club in the summer of 2025, fans gathered at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez to lay flowers and light candles beneath a black-and-white portrait of the player. A minute's silence was observed at European fixtures throughout the week, a testament to the impact of his sudden death.
FC Andorra's goalkeeper Owono, who was involved in the fatal collision, released a statement on Wednesday describing the incident as "the most difficult days of my life." He added: "I feel enormous pain over the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family, and everyone who loved him."
The football world has united in grief, with clubs and players sending condolences and sharing memories of a player taken too soon. As Navahermosa said its final goodbye, the family's words echoed: a life marked by love and left an indelible mark on many.
