De Miguel passed away at the age of 30 after a freak accident with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono on Monday Spanish Segunda Division game at the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium.
Owono, 25, was sent off in the closing stages of the second half when his knee collided with the striker’s head and chest as he ran out to clear out a long ball during a dangerous counter-attack with the score at 2-2. The Spaniard was left motionless after the impact and medics rushed to the scene as players were left in tears before the referee abandoned the game in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
According to Marca, De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest on his way to hospital and was resuscitated by paramedics.
The Madrid native was admitted to intensive care, where his condition was described as “stable but serious” by Tenerife on Monday night.
But tragedy struck as his health deteriorated and he was pronounced dead on Tuesday morning.
Heartbroken Tenerife fans gathered around their home stadium, where the incident took place, to honour their beloved player with flowers, candles and emotional letters.
One message read: “Today the heart of Tenerife is in mourning. It’s hard to find words when someone who has been part of our history leaves too soon.”
Another commented: “Your departure hurts us. It hurts us to think that we will no longer see you defend this shirt, that there will be no more celebrations, more hugs or more shared moments.”
A third issued the following touching tribute: “Keep scoring goals in the sky.”
And another message read: “Your name will be linked to that ascent, to that shared illusion and to a blue and white family that today mourns your loss. Heliodoro and Tenerife will never forget you.”
Fans – many of whom struggled to hold their tears – also kept a minute’s silence for De Miguel.
According to AS, Andorra players showed “great concern” for Owono on their way back from Tenerife. The Equatorial Guinea international was “visibly shaken” after breaking down in the dressing room.
The same report adds those close to Owono describe him as “caring” and a “very kind” person with “no malice”. Owono’s social media accounts have been deactivated since the incident and he reportedly intended to apologise to De Miguel’s family in person before the news of his death emerged.
The keeper is expected to avoid criminal sanctions but may still face a sporting punishment. – Sun
