Jesús Owono is reportedly considering walking away from professional football after the death of Jesús de Miguel, the Tenerife forward who suffered fatal injuries following an on-field collision with the Andorra goalkeeper. The incident, which occurred during a match on November 2, has left Owono deeply distressed, with those close to him describing the psychological impact of the tragedy as difficult to comprehend. His future in football is now uncertain as he receives support from his club.
The collision that changed two lives
The incident took place during the fixture between Andorra and Tenerife on Monday, November 2, when Owono came out to clear the ball and collided with de Miguel. The goalkeeper was shown a red card following the challenge, while the 30-year-old striker remained on the pitch as medical personnel rushed to provide assistance.
De Miguel was subsequently taken to hospital, but died the following morning. Reports attributed his death to accidental chest trauma sustained during the collision, bringing a devastating end to an incident that had unfolded during an ordinary competitive fixture.
The consequences extended well beyond the immediate loss of a player. Owono, who had been involved in the collision, was left struggling to process what had happened, while de Miguel's family and teammates faced the sudden death of a footballer who had been part of their lives only hours earlier. Andorra have been providing the goalkeeper with psychological support as he attempts to come to terms with the tragedy. According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Owono is now seriously considering whether he can continue playing professional football.
Owono struggles to come to terms with de Miguel's death
Owono addressed the tragedy publicly on social media the day after de Miguel's death, describing the period as the most difficult of his life. His statement conveyed the extent of his grief while acknowledging that questions surrounding the incident would eventually have to be addressed. "These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and I find it very hard to process what has happened," he wrote.
He continued by expressing his sorrow for de Miguel and those closest to him, making clear that his immediate thoughts were with the family rather than the circumstances surrounding the collision. "I feel enormous pain at the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family, and all the people who loved him. I know there will be many questions to address. 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 experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus."
Those close to Owono describe the psychological toll
Ana Maye, general coordinator of the Equatorial Guinea national team and a close friend of Owono, has also spoken about the goalkeeper's condition. She described him as deeply affected despite the efforts of people around him to offer reassurance and support. "No matter how much we tell him, he's deeply saddened," Maye told Mundo Deportivo. She added that his thoughts were particularly with de Miguel's young son and widow, describing the difficulty Owono was having in processing the consequences of the tragedy. "He's very affected, especially for Jesus Miguel's one-and-a-half-year-old son and for his widow. He doesn't know how to handle all of this." De Miguel was 30 and had a young family, while Owono is now facing the possibility that the incident could fundamentally alter his relationship with the profession. According to the spanish outlet, retirement is among the possibilities the goalkeeper is seriously considering. No final decision has been announced, however, and his immediate focus remains on receiving support and dealing with the psychological impact of what happened.
De Miguel remembered by hundreds at his funeral
The football community gathered on Thursday to pay its respects to de Miguel, whose funeral took place in his hometown of Navahermosa. Hundreds of mourners attended, including members of his family and senior figures from Spanish football, as tributes continued to arrive following his death.
Manuel Hernandez, de Miguel's agent, issued a statement on behalf of the grieving family, thanking those who had offered support through messages, telephone calls and personal gestures. "Thank you for loving him, for remembering him and for being with us," Hernandez said. "We cannot find enough words to thank you for every message, every phone call and every gesture of affection we are receiving."
He also spoke about the affection shown towards the Tenerife forward and the impression he had left on those who knew him. "Feeling such affection for Jesus and seeing the mark he has left on so many people is something we will always carry with us. Jesus leaves a void that is impossible to fill, but also cherished memories for all of us who were fortunate enough to share our lives with him." For Tenerife, Andorra and the wider Spanish football community, the immediate challenge is to find a way forward after a death that has affected both clubs. For Owono, the question is more personal. The goalkeeper must first be given the time and support to process the tragedy, with any decision about his professional future remaining secondary to that.
