“THE HARDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE”: Jesús Owono Considers Walking Away From Football After Fatal On-Field Collision — As His Family Faces Harassment and His Future Hangs in the Balance

The 25-year-old goalkeeper is struggling to cope with the death of fellow footballer Jesús de Miguel, with the emotional impact reportedly becoming so overwhelming that he has considered ending his professional career.

The football world has been left devastated by a tragedy that has changed the lives of two families forever.

Jesús Owono, the Equatorial Guinea international goalkeeper who plays for FC Andorra, is reportedly considering walking away from professional football following the death of Spanish striker Jesús de Miguel in a horrific on-field collision.

What began as a routine competitive match ended in an unimaginable tragedy. And for Owono, the consequences have extended far beyond the football pitch.

According to Ana Maye, general coordinator of Equatorial Guinea’s men’s national team and someone who has known Owono since he was 14, the goalkeeper has been struggling deeply with what happened. She revealed that the emotional burden has become so overwhelming that retirement has entered his thoughts.

A Football Match That Ended in Tragedy

The incident occurred during a Spanish second-division match between FC Andorra and CD Tenerife on November 2.

In the closing moments of the game, Owono rushed out of his goal to challenge Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel. The two players collided, leaving De Miguel seriously injured.

The 30-year-old striker suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and was rushed to hospital in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Despite medical efforts, he never regained consciousness and died the following day.

The news sent shockwaves through Spanish football.

De Miguel was more than just a footballer. He was a husband and a father to an 18-month-old child. His wife and young child were reportedly at the stadium when the tragedy unfolded.

For his family, the loss was sudden and devastating.

Meanwhile, Owono was left facing the emotional consequences of an incident that would change his life forever.

“These Are the Hardest Days of My Life”

After remaining silent in the immediate aftermath, Owono released an emotional statement through FC Andorra.

He described the experience as the most difficult period of his life, admitting that he was struggling to find the words to explain his pain.

“I find it very difficult to process what has happened. I feel enormous pain over the loss of Jesús,” he said.

He also expressed his thoughts for De Miguel’s family and everyone who loved the late footballer.

Owono acknowledged that there would be questions to answer and that he would face the appropriate proceedings with respect.

But for the moment, he said, his thoughts were focused entirely on the tragedy and the people affected by it.

His words reflected the immense emotional weight he was carrying.

The Emotional Toll Has Become So Severe That He Has Considered Retirement

According to Ana Maye, the situation has taken a profound psychological toll on the young goalkeeper.

Speaking about his condition, she explained that Owono has been particularly affected by the thought of De Miguel’s widow and their very young child having to face life without him.

Despite reassurances from people around him, he has reportedly struggled to process the loss and the circumstances surrounding it.

Maye revealed that Owono has even considered leaving professional football altogether.

The possibility of retirement is particularly heartbreaking given that he is only 25 years old and has already represented Equatorial Guinea 47 times at international level.

However, no final retirement decision has been announced.

Those close to him are reportedly hoping that, with time, professional psychological support and a calmer environment, he will be able to begin recovering from the trauma.

His Family Is Also Reportedly Facing Harassment

The suffering has not been limited to Owono himself.

According to Maye, hostility directed at the goalkeeper has reportedly spread to members of his family.

His younger brother, who also plays football in the Basque Country, has allegedly been called a murderer and subjected to insults within his football environment. Maye also said that Owono’s sister, who studies at the University of Valencia, has been affected by the situation.

The goalkeeper’s mother reportedly traveled to Andorra to be by her son’s side during this difficult period.

Maye also expressed concern about journalists gathering outside the family’s home, arguing that the relatives need privacy rather than additional pressure.

Her message was clear: the family of Jesús de Miguel has suffered an unbearable loss, but Owono’s relatives should not be subjected to harassment because of a tragedy they are also struggling to understand.

She emphasized that nobody enters a football match intending for another player to lose their life.

FC Andorra Is Providing Psychological Support

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

The club has also publicly called for respect and sensitivity toward everyone involved.

Owono has received support from teammates and members of the Equatorial Guinea football community.

His teammate Lautaro Spatz previously defended him publicly, describing him as someone who would never intentionally hurt another person and acknowledging the enormous pain he was experiencing.

The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation has also expressed its support for the goalkeeper.

Owono was left out of the country’s November international squad for its Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Zimbabwe.

For now, his emotional recovery remains more important than any immediate return to competitive football.

A New Development: Owono Receives a 12-Match Suspension

On November 13, another major development emerged.

The Spanish Football Federation handed Owono a 12-match suspension, the maximum penalty, following the collision with De Miguel.

According to Reuters, the disciplinary committee applied Article 102 of its disciplinary code, citing serious misconduct during play and the grave consequences of the incident.

The suspension adds another difficult chapter to an already devastating situation.

FC Andorra manager Carles Manso has said that Owono has not yet decided whether he will return to competition. The club intends to give him the time and space he needs rather than pressure him into making an immediate decision.

The suspension is a sporting disciplinary measure. It should not be confused with a criminal conviction or a finding that the collision was intentional.

Two Families, Two Different Forms of Grief

There are no easy words for what has happened.

Jesús de Miguel’s family has lost a husband, father and loved one. His young child will grow up without the presence of his father, while those closest to him must somehow learn to live with an absence that can never truly be replaced.

At the same time, Jesús Owono is facing an emotional crisis that has reportedly left him questioning his future in the sport he has dedicated his life to.

One family is mourning someone they can never bring home. Another is trying to support a young man who may never be able to look at football in quite the same way again.

The tragedy has also raised serious questions about online harassment, the treatment of athletes after traumatic incidents and the importance of protecting families from public hostility.

For Owono, the road ahead remains uncertain.

Will he eventually return to the pitch, or will the emotional consequences of this tragedy lead him to leave football behind?

As of November 14, no retirement announcement has been made. His club says it will give him time to decide.

For now, two families are left to face the consequences of one devastating moment — and both deserve compassion, dignity and privacy.