Thousands bid tearful farewell to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, 30, after on-pitch collision

Thousands of supporters filled Tenerife’s Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez on Saturday for an emotional 90-minute tribute to striker Jesus de Miguel, who died aged 30 after suffering a cardiac arrest following an on-pitch collision during a Spanish second-division match earlier this week.

De Miguel was taken to intensive care after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono on Monday. Tenerife confirmed his passing on Tuesday morning.

A large banner bearing his black-and-white photograph and the words “Forever Demi” hung behind a central pitch stage, while fans chanted “De Miguel, we love you” following a video montage of his Tenerife debut. Demi was the nickname used by those close to the striker.

Tenerife captain Enric Gallego fought back tears as he addressed the crowd, pausing repeatedly throughout his speech. “To speak of you in the past tense is tremendously unfair,” Gallego said. “It’s still hard to believe that this has happened to us, Demi; you’ll always be one of us. We’re still struggling to come to terms with the fact that you won’t be with us again.”

Players were joined by representatives from clubs across Spain’s top two divisions, including Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno. Addresses by club directors were followed by a religious service to close the tribute in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Matches across all Spanish divisions observed a minute’s silence over the weekend in De Miguel’s honour.

Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, broke his silence on Wednesday, describing the days since the collision as the most difficult of his life. “I feel enormous pain at the loss of Jesus,” he said in a statement released by his club Andorra. “I think of him, his family, and all the people who loved him. I know there will be many issues to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. But right now, honestly, I can’t think of anything other than Jesus and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus.”