Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel has died aged 30, a day after suffering a cardiac arrest following a collision during a Spanish second-division match, the club announced on Tuesday.
De Miguel was challenging for the ball near midfield in stoppage time on Monday when Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono rushed out to clear a long ball and struck him in the chest with his knee.
The forward fell to his knees clutching his torso before collapsing onto his back. He was treated on the pitch for more than five minutes and taken to hospital by ambulance.
Tenerife initially said De Miguel was stable despite the severity of his condition, but announced that he had died on Tuesday morning.
The club said it was heartbroken and offered condolences to his family, friends and the wider club community.
Owono was shown a straight red card following the collision. Spanish judicial authorities have opened an investigation into De Miguel’s death.
Tributes came from across Spanish football, including Andorra, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and the Spanish Football Federation.
Andorra majority shareholder Gerard Piqué, a former Barcelona defender, wrote on social media: “I’m sorry with all my heart. Rest in peace Jesús.”
