FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono has spoken publicly about the death of Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel, describing the incident as one of the most painful experiences of his life.
The Equatorial Guinea international expressed deep sorrow after De Miguel, a forward with CD Tenerife, died following a collision between the two players during a Spanish second-division match.
In a statement released by FC Andorra on Wednesday, November 4, Owono said he was struggling to understand the tragedy and find the right words to describe his emotions.
“These are the most difficult days of my life,” the goalkeeper said, adding that he felt immense pain over De Miguel’s death and was thinking about the striker, his family and everyone close to him.
Owono also acknowledged that questions would need to be addressed following the incident. However, he said his immediate thoughts were focused on mourning the deceased footballer and supporting those affected by the loss.
His statement ended with a tribute to De Miguel, as he offered his condolences to the player’s loved ones.
How the fatal collision happened
The incident occurred on Monday, November 2, during a league encounter between FC Andorra and CD Tenerife.
Owono, who was playing in goal for Andorra, came out to challenge for a long ball. During the challenge, his knee struck De Miguel in the chest, leaving the Tenerife forward motionless on the pitch.
Medical personnel immediately attended to the injured player before he was transported to hospital. De Miguel was admitted to intensive care but died on Tuesday morning, November 3, aged 30.
The match was abandoned after the incident, with the score standing at 2-2. Owono was shown a straight red card following the collision.
Tenerife subsequently announced the striker’s death, prompting tributes from clubs, players and supporters across Spanish football.
Owono faces online abuse following the tragedy
The goalkeeper’s public statement came amid intense reactions on social media. Following De Miguel’s death, Owono received abusive messages, with some users directing accusations against him.
The 25-year-old later deactivated his Instagram account after being targeted by online comments, including messages describing him as a murderer.
FC Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz publicly defended his teammate, saying Owono was deeply affected by the tragedy and would never deliberately hurt another player.
Spatz also expressed sympathy for De Miguel’s family and the Tenerife community, describing the incident as a devastating event for everyone involved.
The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation also offered support to Owono, acknowledging the emotional difficulty of the situation.
FC Andorra confirmed that psychological assistance was being made available to members of the club who needed support following the death.
Spanish football community mourns De Miguel
De Miguel’s death has generated widespread mourning in Spanish football. Tenerife announced six days of official mourning, while tributes were planned to honour the striker’s memory.
The Spanish football authorities also postponed some scheduled fixtures following the tragedy. Matches involving Tenerife and Andorra were among those affected.
Supporters gathered to pay tribute, while clubs and players across Europe shared messages of sympathy for the deceased footballer’s family and teammates.
Spanish national police have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death. The investigation is intended to establish the relevant facts and should not be treated as proof of criminal wrongdoing by any individual.
Reports have also raised questions about possible legal and sporting consequences, but any determination will depend on the findings of the relevant authorities.
Owono left out of Equatorial Guinea squad
The emotional and sporting consequences of the incident have also affected Owono’s international commitments.
Reuters reported on November 5 that the goalkeeper had been left out of Equatorial Guinea’s squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Zimbabwe.
Equatorial Guinea are scheduled to face Zimbabwe in Bata on November 12 before travelling to Harare for the return fixture on November 16.
Owono has been an important member of the national team, having made 47 international appearances. His absence is therefore a notable development for the squad as it prepares for the two fixtures.
For now, the tragedy has left both clubs and the wider football community mourning De Miguel, while Owono continues to face the emotional consequences of an incident that ended in the loss of a fellow professional footballer.
The goalkeeper’s message has centred on grief, respect and sympathy for the deceased player’s family, as investigations and other formal processes continue.
