GONE AT JUST 30… THOUSANDS GATHER TO SAY GOODBYE TO JESÚS DE MIGUEL AS FOOTBALL STADIUM FILLS WITH TEARS, FLOWERS AND HEARTBREAK
A football match that was supposed to be another night of competition became a tᩚraɢedy that Spain’s football community will never forget.
Jesús de Miguel, the 30-year-old CD Tenerife striker, died on November 3 after suffering a devastating collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a match against FC Andorra.
Days later, thousands of supporters gathered at Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium to give him one final goodbye.
The scenes were heartbreaking. Flowers were laid, supporters applauded, and a huge tribute bearing the words “Eterno Demi” — “Forever Demi” — filled the stadium.
For those who knew him, this was not simply a farewell to a footballer. It was a goodbye to a teammate, a friend, a husband and a father.
THE COLLISION THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The tᩚraɢedy happened on November 2 during Tenerife’s Spanish second-division match against FC Andorra.
In the closing moments of the game, De Miguel chased a long ball forward as Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono came out of his goal to challenge for it.
The two players collided, with Owono’s knee striking De Miguel in the chest.
De Miguel immediately collapsed and remained motionless on the pitch. Players from both teams urgently called for medical assistance as the stadium fell into shock.
Medical staff treated him on the field before he was taken by ambulance to hospital. His condition remained ᑕriᩚtiᩚcal, and Tenerife later confirmed that he had suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest.
Despite medical efforts, De Miguel died at 8 a.m. on November 3.
He was only 30 years old.
A STADIUM UNITED IN ONE FINAL GOODBYE
On November 7, Tenerife opened the doors of the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium so supporters could come together and remember their beloved number 9.
Thousands attended the emotional ceremony, which included video footage of De Miguel’s debut, flowers, heartfelt speeches and chants from the stands.
A large display reading “Eterno Demi” stood as a tribute to the player whose life had ended far too soon.
Representatives from clubs across Spain’s top two divisions also attended. Real Madrid was represented by director Emilio Butragueño, while football figures from Barcelona and other clubs joined the tribute.
The ceremony lasted around 90 minutes, but the memories shared inside the stadium will remain with those who were there.
HIS CAPTAIN’S HEARTBREAKING PROMISE TO HIS LITTLE GIRL
One of the most emotional moments came when Tenerife captain Enric Gallego stepped forward to speak.
Overcome with emotion, Gallego spoke not only about De Miguel the footballer, but about the person behind the number 9 shirt.
He described him as humble, approachable and discreet — someone who never wanted to be the center of attention.
Then he turned his words toward De Miguel’s family: his wife María, their 16-month-old daughter Carla, his parents and his sister Marta.
“We want your daughter to grow up knowing who her father was,” Gallego said, promising that the team would help ensure Carla would always know how loved and respected her father had been.
His words brought tears to the stadium.
The club’s president, Felipe Miñambres, also remembered De Miguel’s quiet personality and his love of football, recalling how he would follow the results of every team he had played for.
A PROMISE THAT HIS FAMILY WILL NEVER BE ALONE
Tenerife’s majority shareholder, Rayco García, also addressed the grieving family.
He recalled meeting De Miguel’s parents during the difficult days after the accident and spoke of the pain of seeing a family facing such an unimaginable loss.
García promised that the club would stand beside De Miguel’s daughter and make sure she would always have the support of the Tenerife family.
It was a powerful reminder that the bond between a football club and its players can reach far beyond the pitch.
ALL OF SPAIN REMEMBERS NUMBER 9
The tribute did not stop at Tenerife’s stadium.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation, LaLiga and Liga F coordinated tributes across Spanish football from November 6 to 9.
Players entered the field together wearing special shirts bearing De Miguel’s number 9 and the message “Siempre En Nuestro Recuerdo” — “Always in Our Thoughts.”
Teams observed a minute of silence, and matches included a pause from the ninth minute onward to honor his shirt number.
Clubs including Barcelona and Real Madrid also shared messages of condolence.
De Miguel had joined Tenerife in 2025 after playing for several clubs throughout his career. He had scored 11 goals during the previous season and was building his place in Spanish football.
His career, however, was cut short before he could reach the future he had worked so hard for.
A LIFE THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
Jesús de Miguel leaves behind a wife, a little daughter, a grieving family, teammates and thousands of supporters who will remember him.
The final tribute at Tenerife was filled with sadness, but also with gratitude for the memories he left behind.
For his teammates, he will always be the man who shared their dressing room.
For supporters, he will always be their number 9.
And for little Carla, the promise made that day was perhaps the most important of all: that she will grow up knowing who her father was, how deeply he was loved, and how many people will carry his memory with them.
Rest in peace, Jesús de Miguel.
Forever Demi. Forever number 9.
