Family thanks supporters as Jesus de Miguel’s funeral held in Navahermosa
Jesus de Miguel’s funeral was held on Thursday in Navahermosa, Spain, and his family said, "Feeling such affection for Jesus and seeing the mark he has left on so many people is something we will always carry with us."
De Miguel, a 30-year-old forward for Tenerife, suffered a serious injury during a Spanish second division match on Monday after colliding with the FC Andorra goalkeeper; he lay motionless on the pitch while being treated, was taken to hospital and died at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday. The goalkeeper, Jesus Owono, was sent off for the challenge and the game was abandoned.
After the death was announced, mourners laid flowers and lit candles beneath a black and white image of De Miguel at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez on Tenerife, and a minute's silence was observed at all games in European competitions this week. Tributes have been paid to De Miguel, who joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025.
De Miguel’s agent, Manuel Hernandez, issued a statement on behalf of the family that read: "Thank you for loving him, for remembering him and for being with us. "We cannot find enough words to thank you for every message, every phone call and every gesture of affection we are receiving. "Thank you to everyone who has remembered him - his colleagues, friends, supporters and all the clubs that have sent us their condolences and stood by us during this deeply painful time. "Feeling such affection for Jesus and seeing the mark he has left on so many people is something we will always carry with us."
In a statement issued by his club Andorra on Wednesday, goalkeeper Owono said he is experiencing "the most difficult days of my life". "I feel enormous pain over the loss of Jesus," he added. "I think of him, his family, and everyone who loved him."
The funeral took place in De Miguel's parents' hometown of Navahermosa, Toledo, about 125km from the Spanish capital Madrid. Among those attending were current Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin and former Real and Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho.
The family also asked "with the utmost respect, that our privacy - and that of everyone who is supporting us at this time - be respected" and said: "We need to grieve in the peace and quiet that this situation demands." "We appreciate the affection, concern and expressions of support that his loss is inspiring, and we are deeply grateful to you all," the statement added.
The Spanish footballers' union, the AFE, requested on Thursday that all this weekend's matches be postponed out of respect for De Miguel. Tenerife's match at Granada and Andorra's game against Mallorca have already been postponed, as were several midweek cup fixtures, although all Spanish sides in European competition have played their games this week. The AFE said: "The footballers have expressed their deep sorrow for this loss and do not believe that there are the psychological and humane conditions necessary for the competition to be played in normal circumstances." The union said its members "in every category" believed "unanimously" that the matches should not be played.
