💔 “The Most Difficult Days of My Life”: Goalkeeper Jesús Owono Breaks Silence After Tragic Death of Tenerife Striker Jesús de Miguel

He was involved in a collision that ended with a fellow footballer losing his life. Now, as Spanish football mourns Jesús de Miguel, goalkeeper Jesús Owono has spoken publicly for the first time — revealing the profound grief he has experienced since the tragedy.

MADRID, SPAIN — November 5, 2026. FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono has broken his silence following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, describing the days since their devastating on-field collision as the most difficult of his life.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper released an emotional statement through his club on Wednesday, November 4, two days after the collision during a Spanish second-division match.

De Miguel, 30, suffered a cardiac arrest following the incident on November 2 and was rushed to hospital.

Despite emergency treatment, he died the following morning.

The tragedy has left Spanish football mourning and Owono facing an extraordinary emotional ordeal.

Now, as police examine the circumstances of the collision and online criticism continues, the goalkeeper has asked for understanding and respect.

“I Struggle to Find the Words”

In his first public remarks since De Miguel’s death, Owono acknowledged the devastating emotional impact of the incident.

“These are the most difficult days of my life,” he said in the statement released by FC Andorra.

The goalkeeper explained that he was struggling to process what had happened.

He expressed profound sadness over De Miguel’s death and extended his thoughts to the striker’s grieving family.

Owono also acknowledged that questions about the incident would need to be addressed.

He said he would face whatever followed with respect.

However, he emphasized that his immediate thoughts remained with De Miguel and those mourning his loss.

His statement ended with a farewell to the Tenerife striker.

“Rest in peace, Jesús.”

For the goalkeeper, the tragedy has become something far greater than a moment in a football match.

The Collision That Changed Two Players’ Lives

The incident occurred on Monday, November 2, during Tenerife’s match against FC Andorra.

The game was tied at 2–2 when the two players challenged for a long ball during stoppage time.

Owono rushed out of his penalty area, attempting to clear the ball.

De Miguel moved forward to contest possession.

The players collided near midfield, with Owono’s raised knee striking the Tenerife striker.

De Miguel immediately collapsed.

Players from both teams urgently called for medical assistance.

The referee showed Owono a red card, but the match was quickly overshadowed by the medical emergency.

De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest and required emergency resuscitation.

Medical personnel restored his pulse before he was taken to hospital.

However, he remained unconscious.

The match was abandoned.

On Tuesday morning, Tenerife announced that the striker had died at the age of 30.

The Online Backlash Against Owono

Following the tragedy, Owono became the target of hostile comments on social media.

Some users accused the goalkeeper of deliberately causing De Miguel’s death.

Others directed abusive messages toward him.

The criticism intensified after the striker’s passing was confirmed.

Owono subsequently deactivated his Instagram account.

The situation also affected another footballer with a similar name.

Michel Owono, a goalkeeper for Can Vidalet, reported receiving racist abuse after social media users apparently confused him with the Andorra player.

The incidents prompted concerns about how quickly grief and anger can turn into online harassment.

While the collision is under investigation, no official finding has established that Owono intentionally injured De Miguel.

A Teammate Comes to His Defense

FC Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz publicly defended Owono following the tragedy.

Spatz described the goalkeeper as a friend and teammate who was deeply affected by what had happened.

He emphasized that those who knew Owono understood his character and the sorrow he was experiencing.

Spatz also said he did not believe his teammate would ever intentionally hurt another player.

The defender acknowledged that unfortunate incidents can happen during football matches, but that no one expects them to have such devastating consequences.

His message also included condolences to De Miguel’s family and everyone at Tenerife.

For Andorra’s players, the situation has been especially difficult.

They are mourning a fellow professional while also witnessing the emotional impact on a teammate directly involved in the incident.

FC Andorra Offers Psychological Support

FC Andorra has announced that psychological support is available to people at the club affected by the tragedy.

The move reflects the emotional strain of witnessing a serious medical emergency during a match.

For players, coaches and staff, the events of November 2 were profoundly distressing.

The club has also urged the public to respond with sensitivity and respect.

CD Tenerife has made a similar appeal regarding Owono.

Despite mourning the loss of its striker, Tenerife has encouraged supporters to avoid personal attacks against the goalkeeper.

The message from both clubs emphasizes the importance of compassion while the investigation continues.

Owono Left Out of International Squad

On November 5, Reuters reported another significant development involving Owono.

The goalkeeper was omitted from Equatorial Guinea’s squad for its upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Zimbabwe.

The fixtures are scheduled for November 12 and November 16.

Owono has been an important figure in Equatorial Guinea’s national team for several years.

He has made 47 international appearances and has regularly represented his country in major competitions.

The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation expressed support for the goalkeeper following De Miguel’s death.

It acknowledged the difficult emotional circumstances surrounding the incident.

His omission from the squad has not been identified as a disciplinary punishment.

Spanish Police Continue Their Investigation

Spanish authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death.

The inquiry is being conducted under judicial supervision.

Investigators will examine the collision and determine whether any criminal responsibility could arise from the incident.

However, opening an investigation following a non-natural death is standard procedure.

It does not mean that Owono has committed a criminal offense.

Authorities have not established that the collision involved intentional wrongdoing.

The legal process must consider the available evidence, including video footage and medical findings.

Until the investigation reaches a conclusion, speculation about criminal responsibility remains unproven.

Spanish Football Continues to Mourn De Miguel

While Owono faces the aftermath of the collision, the wider football community continues paying tribute to Jesús de Miguel.

Tenerife confirmed the striker’s death on November 3, expressing profound sadness and offering condolences to his family.

The announcement prompted tributes from clubs, players and supporters across Spain.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and other football organizations shared messages of sympathy.

Supporters gathered outside Tenerife’s stadium, leaving flowers and memorial tributes.

For De Miguel’s family, the tragedy represents the loss of someone whose life extended far beyond football.

He was a son, a loved one and a professional who had spent years pursuing his sporting ambitions.

At 30, his career and future ended unexpectedly.

A Tragedy That Has Left Two Clubs Grieving

The events of November 2 continue to affect everyone involved.

A Tenerife striker lost his life.

His family and teammates are mourning.

A goalkeeper has described experiencing the most difficult days of his life.

And two football clubs are attempting to support their players and communities through an extraordinary tragedy.

Owono’s statement does not answer every question about the collision.

Those answers must come from the investigation.

But his words make clear that the incident has left a profound emotional impact.

The tragedy has also highlighted the importance of disting