Jesús de Miguel spent years working toward a place in professional soccer. On Monday, the 30-year-old CD Tenerife forward collapsed after colliding with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono while chasing a long ball. He suffered cardiac arrest and was taken to a hospital, where he died Tuesday morning.

His life beyond soccer had recently entered a new chapter. De Miguel and his partner, María, welcomed their daughter, Carla, in June 2025, according to an announcement by his former club, CD Castellón. The family has since asked for privacy. Another detail from his life came full circle: at 16, De Miguel joked in a social media post that he might visit Tenerife if he passed all his exams. Years later, the island became his home.

Years of work before his professional breakthrough

De Miguel began in the youth systems of Leganés and Fuenlabrada, but he did not make it to Leganés’ first team.

His route continued through clubs including Internacional de Madrid, Unión Adarve, Navalcarnero and Unionistas de Salamanca. At Unionistas, he scored 12 goals in the 2021–22 season, helping earn a move to Castellón.

His breakthrough came with Castellón. In the 2023–24 season, De Miguel scored 16 goals and recorded six assists as the club won its group and earned promotion to Spain’s second division.

He had reached the professional ranks at 28, after years of moving through lower-level teams. Castellón later remembered him as a player whose commitment left a mark on the locker room and its supporters.

De Miguel joined Tenerife in 2025 and helped the club return to the second tier, scoring 11 league goals during the promotion campaign. A pubalgia had slowed him and kept him out for several games, but he stayed with Tenerife despite reported offers from other clubs.

He described himself as a hardworking, team-oriented striker. Former teammates remembered him as humble and kind.

Owono’s red card, the police inquiry and a possible suspension

The collision happened late in a 2–2 match. Owono had come out to challenge for the ball when he and De Miguel collided. The referee sent the goalkeeper off, writing in his report that he had struck an opponent with his leg raised and excessive force while the ball was in play.

De Miguel received emergency care, and the match was abandoned after players from both teams said they were not in a state to continue.

Police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of De Miguel’s death, as required in cases involving a death without an established natural cause.

That is not a criminal charge: the prosecutor said a criminal case appeared unlikely because the collision occurred during play.

The soccer federation’s disciplinary committee is separately reviewing the referee’s report; a suspension of four to 12 games is possible, but no final decision had been announced as of Tuesday.

A statement apologizing in Owono’s name circulated online, but RTVE and Andorra confirmed it came from an impostor account.

Tenerife has announced a public tribute for Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium, while the family continues to ask for privacy.