Spanish Soccer Player Jesús de Miguel Dies After Game Collision

His teammates affectionately called him “Demi,” while soccer fans across Spain knew him as Jesús de Miguel. His death was confirmed on Tuesday, following a critical injury during a game the previous day.

Career Journey

De Miguel’s career mirrored that of many professional soccer players. He moved through Spain’s lower divisions, playing for various clubs. Born in Madrid in 1996, he began his professional journey with Leganés’ reserve team in 2015. The striker played for several clubs in and around the Spanish capital.

In 2023, De Miguel experienced his most successful season with Castellón. His contribution of 16 goals was pivotal in propelling the club to the second division.

Finding it hard to score in the second tier, he relocated to Tenerife in the Canary Islands in the summer of 2025. Back in the third division, De Miguel quickly reclaimed his form, scoring six goals in his first five matches and totaling 11 by season’s end, helping Tenerife secure another promotion.

The Fatal Game

De Miguel, characterized by his left-footed, 6-foot-2 frame, excelled as a traditional striker. On Monday, he pursued a long pass during stoppage time in a tense 2-2 draw against FC Andorra. It was then he collided with the rushing Andorra goalkeeper. As De Miguel hit the ground, he experienced cardiac arrest and passed away the next morning in the hospital.

Remembrance and Investigation

De Miguel was 30, leaving behind a daughter born last year. Former teammates and club officials expressed deep sorrow. Fernando Román, a former teammate, highlighted De Miguel’s humility and hard work, while Felipe Miñambres, Tenerife’s president, spoke of a deserved tribute.

Spanish authorities have initiated an investigation to determine if the collision could lead to involuntary manslaughter charges. However, Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor, José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui, noted that criminal proceedings appear unlikely. The incident occurred during play, and further consideration of referee reports and disciplinary findings is required.