The news froze the world of football this Tuesday morning. Jesus de Miguel, striker for Tenerife, in the Spanish second division, died following a collision with the opposing goalkeeper during a championship match on Monday evening. Who was this player, what does Jesus Owono risk, guilty of this inconsiderate exit? We take stock of this drama in a few questions.
What happened?
While the two teams were tied (2-2), in the last seconds of the match, a Tenerife defender sent a long ball forward from his area to launch Jesus de Miguel deep. The latter started his race, his eyes riveted on the ball, and did not see the goalkeeper Jesus Owono arriving, who came out 50 meters from his goal and who hit him head-on.
Emergency evacuated to Tenerife hospital, the attacker was initially diagnosed in “serious but stable condition”, before his health deteriorated overnight. He died at 8 a.m. this Tuesday morning, his club announced.
Who was Miguel's Jesus?
Trained in Leganes, this left-handed striker with an unusual size (1.90 m) spent a long time between the 3rd and 4th Spanish divisions. In 2023-2024, his career took off thanks to a 16-goal season with Castellon, which he took to the second division. His first at this level is complicated, so he joins Tenerife at the lower level, in the summer of 2025. Here again, he helps his new team rise (11 goals).
For his second season in Liga 2, he started all the matches on the bench, due to some physical problems. The match against Andorra was their fourth since the restart.
How to explain the inconsiderate exit of Jesus Owono?
The shocking image reminded older players of Harald Schumacher's exit on Patrick Battiston during France-RFA in 1982. At no time does the Andorra goalkeeper seem to care about his opponent, who also cannot see him coming. The speed of running and the way of putting the knee forward when jumping into a duel, in this context, are astonishing.
Owono, starting goalkeeper for the Equatorial Guinea team, is not known to have an explosive character. In a portrait published on June 5, 2024 by the newspaper As, he appears as someone calm and positive, very aware of the mental dimension of his position. The article underlines that he worked a lot to not let himself be destabilized by the racist insults that he faced on the pitch from childhood.
Because Owono is young (25 years old), but already has solid experience. He completed his training at Deportivo Alavés, with whom he made his La Liga debut at the age of 21. He then played 19 other games in the Spanish elite, before being loaned to Andorra in 2025 to gain playing time. He signed permanently for the D2 club last summer. In the selection, he already has 44 appearances, with two notable participations in the African Cup of Nations (2021 and 2023).
What does he risk after this tragedy?
According to the match report, revealed by Mundo Deportivo, Owono was sent off “for brutally hitting an opponent with his raised leg, using excessive force while the ball was in play”. According to article 102 of the same disciplinary code of Spanish football, relating to violent behavior towards an opponent, he risks a suspension of between four and twelve matches. But of course, the dramatic consequences of his action will force the disciplinary committee to judge his case separately. In France, a young 14-year-old player received a one-year suspension last January after causing the death of an opponent a few months earlier, during an U15 match in Gironde.
Beyond the athlete, Owono could also face criminal consequences. It will depend on the decision of Jesus de Miguel's family. In any case, he will have to live with this tragedy. According to information relayed by the program “El Partidazo” on the Cope channel, the goalkeeper “was very affected by the situation”, even before the news of the death was announced. His club indicated that at no time “was there any bad intention or desire to cause harm” on the part of Owono. The latter, described as a murderer on social networks, closed his Instagram account.
What reactions?
The Andorran club: “Heartbroken and devastated, we would like to send our most sincere condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel, to all his teammates, friends and to CD Tenerife. »
Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish League: “Deeply saddened by the death of Jesús de Miguel Alameda, CD Tenerife player. Today we all share the terrible pain of irreparable loss. My most sincere condolences to his family, his loved ones, his teammates and to his entire club. All my affection and support during these difficult times. Rest in peace. »
The Castellon club, who revealed it: “With a broken heart and without possible comfort, Club Deportivo Castellón says goodbye to Jesus De Miguel. It is difficult to find words when reality hits so unfairly. He defended that jersey with pride, celebrated goals with our fans at SkyFi Castalia and was part of a story these fans will never forget. We join with all our love in the pain of his family and loved ones, whom we hold in our arms in these terrible moments and to whom we offer our most sincere condolences. »
The Leganes club, where he was trained: “We would like to convey our deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Jesús de Miguel, @CDTOficial footballer who tragically passed away today and who played in our training center during his training phase. We join in the pain in these sad times. Rest in peace. »
Kylian Mbappé: “A lot of sadness. There are no words. Rest in peace. »
