Thousands gathered at CD Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium on Saturday, November 7, to remember striker Jesús de Miguel, who died aged 30 after suffering cardiac arrest following an on-field collision. The tribute in Santa Cruz de Tenerife included speeches, a religious service and a minute of silence observed at matches across Spain’s divisions.
De Miguel collided with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a match on Monday, November 2, and was taken to intensive care. Tenerife confirmed his death on Tuesday, November 3. The Associated Press reported that police were investigating after the player’s death.
A banner featuring a black-and-white image of De Miguel and the words “Forever Demi” hung above the pitch. After footage of his Tenerife debut was shown, supporters chanted, “De Miguel, we love you.”
Captain Enric Gallego spoke through tears, saying it was “tremendously unfair” to speak of his teammate in the past tense. He told De Miguel, whose nickname was Demi, that he would always be one of them.
Players and representatives from clubs in Spain’s top two divisions attended the 90-minute ceremony. Among them was Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueño. Club officials also addressed the crowd before the religious service. The Spanish football federation confirmed the gathering and Gallego’s participation.
Clayton Ward