Goalkeeper Speaks After Footballer's Death in Spain

A 30-year-old Spanish footballer has died following a collision during a match on Monday, and the goalkeeper involved has spoken publicly for the first time.

Jesus de Miguel, a striker for second division club Tenerife, suffered a cardiac arrest after being struck in the chest by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono in an incident during the game. He was resuscitated in the ambulance but died in hospital later that day.

On Wednesday, Owono posted a statement saying: “These are the hardest days of my life. I find it hard to find the right words and it is very hard for me to accept what happened. I feel immense pain at the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family and all those who loved him.”

The 25-year-old, who plays internationally for Equatorial Guinea, also said he was aware of “the issues that will have to be addressed in the coming period” and would face them with respect. His Instagram account was deactivated after he received a wave of insults.

Spanish media report that police have opened an investigation into possible negligent homicide. A source from the police confirmed the investigation, under judicial supervision, but did not state whether it directly targets Owono.

A Spanish cardiologist, Jesus Almendra, told local media that the likely cause of death was commotio cordis—a rare phenomenon in which a powerful blow to the chest, occurring at a precise moment in the cardiac cycle, triggers ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. He described it as a case of “terrible bad luck.”

The president of the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation, Venancio Tomas Micha, expressed support for Owono, writing that the federation offers “all our human and professional support” during this difficult time.

Tenerife club said in a social media post that nothing could diminish the pain, adding: “We stand with his grieving family, loved ones and the entire Tenerife club family.”