Ronaldo and Messi Lead Tributes to Tenerife's Jesús de Miguel

Football is grieving the sudden loss of Jesús de Miguel, a 30-year-old forward for CD Tenerife. His death has touched fans, players, and clubs far beyond the Canary Islands. Messages of sorrow have arrived from nearly every corner of the sport. Among them are notes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the most famous players the game has ever known.

De Miguel was not a global superstar, yet his passing has drawn the kind of response usually reserved for the biggest names. Clubs in Spain, England, and across Europe have shared messages of support. Players who never met him have spoken about how deeply the news hit them. The reaction shows how quickly football can come together when one of its own is gone.

Via Sports Bible

For many people, the tragedy is a painful reminder that the game is played by real people with families, friends, and dreams. Every match carries some risk, even if fans rarely think about it. When something this serious happens on the field, rivalries fade, and the focus turns to the person who was lost and the loved ones left behind.

What Happened During the Match

The tragedy unfolded during a Spanish second-division game between CD Tenerife and FC Andorra. De Miguel was involved in a frightening collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono. The crash led to a cardiac arrest, and the forward could not be saved. He died on Tuesday, November 3, leaving everyone who watched the match in a state of shock and disbelief.

Via ESPN

Collisions between attackers and goalkeepers are a common part of football. Strikers chase the ball into the box, and keepers rush out to stop them. Most of these moments end with a quick check from the medical staff and a return to play. This time, the outcome was far more serious, and it turned an ordinary league fixture into one of the darkest days the club has known.

Attention has also turned to Owono, the goalkeeper on the other side of the collision. Several people in the game have pointed out how hard this moment must be for him. He was simply doing his job when the accident happened. Many fans and coaches have shown him kindness and support, knowing that he is also carrying a heavy emotional weight after that day.

Via Goal 

Messi and Ronaldo Share Their Grief

Lionel Messi was one of the first global stars to speak about the loss. The Inter Miami forward posted a photo of De Miguel on his Instagram Story. Along with it, he shared a short message for the player's loved ones. "There are no words… My deepest condolences and lots of strength to his entire family and friends. May he rest in peace," Messi wrote.

Cristiano Ronaldo soon added his own tribute. The Al-Nassr captain shared a black-and-white image of De Miguel celebrating a goal. His message was brief, but it carried real emotion. "A tragedy. No words… Sending strength to his family. Rest in peace," the Portuguese star wrote. The photo choice honored De Miguel at one of the happiest moments a striker can have on the field.

Via Sports Cafe

Messi and Ronaldo have been rivals for most of their careers, and fans often debate which of them is greater. In this moment, both men said almost the same thing. Their matching words showed that some events are bigger than any rivalry. When the two most followed players in the sport speak up, millions of people around the world take notice of the story.

Mbappé, Raphinha and Arteta React

Kylian Mbappé also spoke out after hearing the sad news. The Real Madrid forward posted a short message on social media. "So much sadness. There are no words," he wrote. His simple words matched the feeling many people shared. Even players who are used to big stages and loud crowds found it hard to explain how they felt.

Via Al Jazeera

Barcelona forward Raphinha made his feelings clear after a Champions League win over Aston Villa. He scored twice in the match, yet he did not want to celebrate. "Today I don't want to talk about football; I want to send a message to the family of Jesus may he rest in peace. From the club, I want to send a message of strength to the family," Raphinha said after the game.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who is from Spain, also struggled to put his thoughts into words. "To see a colleague lose his life in such a manner, it's beyond any words that I can put today," he said. Arteta called De Miguel a colleague, which showed how players and coaches see each other as part of one large football family, no matter which club or league they belong to.

Via Reuters 

Clubs, UEFA and Sporting Icons Pay Respects

Some of the biggest clubs in the world shared messages of sympathy. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, and Liverpool were among the teams that posted their condolences. UEFA also arranged moments of silence at its matches during the week. On Tuesday night, Champions League teams paused to honor De Miguel before kickoff, and the stadiums fell quiet in his memory.

Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Villarreal went a step further. All three clubs chose not to play the famous Champions League anthem before their home games. The anthem is one of the most recognized sounds in football, so leaving it out sent a strong message. Gerard Piqué, the former Barcelona defender who is now a co-owner of FC Andorra, wrote, "I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesús."

Via Give Me Sport

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal said he felt "terrible sadness" over the news. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho also spoke about the loss. "I think it's something very shocking for the world in general, so imagine for the world of football," he said. Mourinho also thought of Owono, adding, "It's a very, very difficult moment for the other player involved in the situation."

Tenerife Teammates Remember a True Friend

The most personal tributes came from the players who shared a locker room with De Miguel every day. Tenerife midfielder Juanjo Sánchez wrote a heartfelt message about the small moments they enjoyed together. "You let me into your heart, and you earned a place in mine, as we shared moments of laughter every single day and took walks barefoot after our training sessions," Sánchez wrote.

Via DC News 

Striker Enric Gallego also opened up about his late teammate. He called De Miguel "one of the best people" he had ever met. Gallego thanked him for his friendship, his strong character, and the kindness he showed to others. Coming from a fellow forward who competed with him for goals and minutes, those words showed just how much respect De Miguel had earned inside the squad.

These stories paint a picture of a man who was loved for more than his skill with the ball. Fans saw him score goals and fight for every chance on the field. His teammates saw the laughter, the long talks, and the barefoot walks after hard sessions. For the people closest to him, those quiet memories are what they will carry with them the longest.

Via KARK 

Tenerife Announces Mourning and Funeral Plans

CD Tenerife has been hit harder than anyone by this loss. The club said it was devastated and promised to stand by De Miguel's family. It also asked the public to respect the family's wish for privacy during this painful time. Clubs often become a second family for their players, and Tenerife made it clear that it would support his loved ones in every way possible.

The club announced six official days of mourning and put all team activities on hold. Training, events, and other plans were stopped so players and staff could grieve together. This break gives everyone at the club time to process what happened. It also shows that, for now, results and league tables matter far less than caring for each other.

Via BBC

Players, staff, and club officials will travel to Navahermosa, in the province of Toledo, for the funeral. Supporters will also have a chance to say goodbye at the stadium on Saturday. That gathering will give fans a place to share their sorrow, leave tributes, and honor a player who gave his best in the club's colors.

A Career Built on Hard Work and a Lasting Legacy

De Miguel's path to the second division was not an easy one. Before reaching Tenerife, he played for several lower-division teams, including Leganés and Unionistas de Salamanca. He then joined Castellón, where he kept working to prove himself. Each step showed a player who believed in himself and kept pushing forward, even without the spotlight that follows the sport's biggest stars.

Via Yahoo Sports

He moved to Tenerife from Castellón in 2025, and the decision paid off for both sides. De Miguel played an important part in helping the club win promotion to Spain's second division. That success made him a valued member of the squad and a favorite among many supporters. His goals and effort helped lift the club to a new level, and fans will remember the joy he brought during that run.

Via BBC

In the end, his legacy is about more than goals or promotions. People remember him as kind, warm, and full of humanity, the kind of teammate who made others smile every day. The tributes from Ronaldo, Messi, and so many others all point to one shared feeling. Some losses leave a silence that even the loudest voices in football cannot fill, and people across the game will keep his memory alive for years to come.