Sorrow and mourning: Europe's pitches unite in bidding farewell to Tenerife striker
A minute's silence in tribute to Jesús
A sombre mood has settled over European football following the death of Tenerife's Spanish striker Jesus de Miguel at the age of 30. He died after a violent collision with Andorra's goalkeeper Jesus Owono during the two sides' match in the Spanish second division.
The mourning began with the opening fixtures of the fourth round of the Champions League league phase. UEFA ordered a minute's silence in honour of the late player ahead of Galatasaray's clash with Stuttgart and Shakhtar Donetsk's meeting with Sporting Lisbon.
Galatasaray and Stuttgart offer condolences to Tenerife
Clubs across Europe have expressed their sadness and solidarity with the player's family and Tenerife. Galatasaray published an official statement which read: "No words can describe the extent of the sorrow," offering condolences to the family of De Miguel and to everyone at Tenerife.
The statement closed with a message: "Rest in peace, Jesus."
Stuttgart also offered their deepest condolences to the player's family and all those associated with Tenerife, in an official post on their account on the platform X.
The fatal injury
Jesús de Miguel, a 30-year-old Spanish striker, was injured during Tenerife's match against Andorra in the Spanish second division, when he collided with Andorra's goalkeeper Jesús Owono while competing for the ball near the halfway line.
The collision left him with a severe chest injury that triggered cardiac and respiratory arrest. Medics rushed him to hospital, but Tenerife announced his death on Tuesday morning. In a moving statement, the club described itself as "heartbroken". Condolences poured in from clubs and players around the world, including Lionel Messi, and Real Madrid planned to hold a minute's silence at their match.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said the organisation was "heartbroken" by the player's death, offering his condolences to de Miguel's family, his team-mates and Tenerife. European football, he confirmed, would observe a period of mourning in his honour this week.
That tribute will take in the Champions League matches on Tuesday and Wednesday, along with the Europa League and Conference League matches on Thursday.
