His teammates affectionately called him “Demi,” while soccer fans across Spain simply knew him as Jesús de Miguel. His death was confirmed Tuesday, one day after the beloved athlete was critically injured in an in-game collision.
De Miguel’s career followed a path familiar to many professional soccer players. He worked to make a living from the sport, moving from club to club throughout Spain’s lower divisions.
Born in Madrid in 1996, De Miguel began his career with Leganés’ reserve team in 2015. The striker went on to play for several clubs in and around the Spanish capital.
FC Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel duels for the ball during a soccer match against Andorra in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (AP Photo)
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De Miguel’s most productive season came after he joined Castellón in 2023. His 16 goals helped the club earn promotion to the second division.
After struggling to score in the second tier, De Miguel left mainland Spain in the summer of 2025 for Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
Back in the third division, he scored six goals in his first five games and finished with 11, helping the blue-and-white club earn another promotion.
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Left-footed and 6-foot-2, De Miguel was a traditional striker who made his living competing for balls in the air.
On Monday, he was sprinting through the middle of the field at Tenerife’s home stadium, chasing a long pass from a teammate in stoppage time of a 2-2 draw with FC Andorra. That was when De Miguel was blind-sided by the Andorra goalkeeper rushing out of his area.
A screen shows a portrait of late Tenerife player Jesus De Miguel before the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich in Madrid, Spain, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
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De Miguel crashed to the ground, curled onto his knees and flopped over on his back, his arms at his side. He suffered cardiac arrest and passed away the following morning in hospital.
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De Miguel was 30 and is survived by his daughter, who was born last year, and her mother.
Former teammate Fernando Román wrote on social media that he was devastated by the death of a friend he described as “humble, hard-working … above all a good person.”
Tenerife said Miguel’s body would be transported to Navahermosa, in the Toledo province, at the request of his family, and his teammates and club officials would be present for a “final farewell.”
“We need to give Demi the tribute he deserves,” said Tenerife president Felipe Miñambres. “And from that point on we will always carry him in our hearts.”
Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono reacts after colliding with FC Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel during a soccer match in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (AP Photo)
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Spanish police have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death, including whether the collision could constitute involuntary manslaughter. The case is under judicial supervision, and Spanish law requires an investigation into deaths from non-natural causes, including accidents.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor José Luis Sánchez-Jáuregui told the Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings appeared unlikely because the collision occurred during play. He added that authorities must first consider the referee’s report and the findings of the sports disciplinary committee.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.