Messi and Mbappé Lead Tributes to Jesús de Miguel
Football·November 4, 2026
Football is in mourning after the death of Jesús de Miguel, the CD Tenerife forward. He was injured during a second-division match against FC Andorra when he collided with the visitors' goalkeeper, Jesús Owono. The impact led to a cardiac arrest, and despite the efforts made on the pitch, he could not be saved.
News of his death spread quickly, and tributes came from across the sport. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé were among the high-profile figures to share their grief publicly, joining players, clubs and supporters who described the loss as devastating. Many said they were struggling to find the right words, which is a sentiment that has run through much of the reaction.
The fixture was abandoned, and other matches in the Spanish football calendar were postponed as a mark of respect for the player and his family. Spanish authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the collision and the medical response that followed, and its findings will be watched closely across the game.
The tragedy has once again raised questions about player safety in high-speed contact situations, and about how quickly medical teams can respond when a player collapses. For now, the focus is on his family, his teammates at Tenerife and the wider community that knew him.
Reporting based on an external source.