FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono has broken his silence following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, saying he is going through the “most difficult days” of his life after the tragic incident that left the Spanish football community mourning.
De Miguel, 30, died on Tuesday morning after suffering serious injuries during a Spanish second-tier match between Tenerife and Andorra at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium on Monday.
The tragedy occurred late in the game when Owono rushed out of his goal to challenge De Miguel for the ball. The two players collided heavily, leaving the Tenerife forward requiring immediate medical attention.
Owono was sent off following the incident, while the match was abandoned. De Miguel was taken to hospital and admitted to intensive care. His condition later deteriorated, with Tenerife confirming his death at around 8am on Tuesday.
Owono breaks silence
In his first public comments since the tragedy, Owono expressed deep grief and said he was struggling to comprehend what had happened.
“These are the most difficult days of my life. It’s hard for me to find the words and I find it very difficult to assimilate anything that has happened,” Owono said in a statement released by FC Andorra.
The Equatorial Guinea international said his thoughts were focused on De Miguel, his family and those close to him.
“I feel enormous pain for the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family and all the people who loved him. I know that there will be many issues to address, I will face whatever comes with all due respect,” he added.
Owono concluded his message by saying that, for now, he could think of little else beyond the loss and the pain caused by the tragedy.
“But right now, honestly, I can’t think of anything other than Jesus and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus,” he said.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper has also faced abuse on social media following the incident, prompting him to deactivate his Instagram account. Some users reportedly posted accusations against him, while his Andorra teammate Lautaro Spatz publicly defended him, insisting that Owono would never deliberately hurt another player.
“He would never intentionally hurt anyone,” Spatz said while expressing his support for his teammate and extending condolences to De Miguel’s family.
The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation has also backed Owono, describing him as being in a state of profound sorrow following the incident. Owono has 47 international appearances for Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile, Spanish police have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death. Authorities are examining the incident under judicial supervision, although the local chief prosecutor said criminal proceedings would be difficult to pursue because the collision occurred during a sporting contest. The referee’s report and the findings of the sports disciplinary authorities will form part of the assessment.
The football community has responded with widespread tributes to De Miguel. The Royal Spanish Football Federation expressed its sorrow over the striker’s death, while UEFA ordered moments of silence at matches following the tragedy.
For Owono, however, the focus remains on mourning the player who lost his life.
“Rest in peace, Jesus,” the goalkeeper said.
