Tenerife mourns Jesús de Miguel as stadium becomes shrine to late striker
Tenerife and the wider football community are grieving the death of striker Jesús de Miguel, who died after a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, as fans lay tributes at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium.
Tenerife is in mourning following the death of striker Jesús de Miguel, who died from injuries sustained in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during Monday's match. The 30-year-old had become a club favourite, scoring 11 goals in his first season as Tenerife won promotion to Spanish football's second tier.
The Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium has become a shrine to the player, with hundreds gathering over recent days to lay flowers and light candles. Bouquets, rosettes sent by clubs across Spain, prayer cards, photographs, children's drawings and scarves have been placed around the grounds outside gate nine, where fans and residents stood in silence, many visibly tearful.
Lisa and Lee, holidaymakers from Stoke-on-Trent who attended Monday's match hoping to experience Spanish football for the first time, described the stadium falling almost completely silent as spectators waited to understand what was happening. They returned on Wednesday to lay a Port Vale shirt among the tributes, with Lisa saying football has no colours and that players are part of your family.
Carlos, a player with Tenerife's disability side Tenerife Foundation, said De Miguel had given his heart and soul for the shirt and was already a club legend for helping pull Tenerife out of a difficult position in recent years. He said he was left trembling for hours after leaving the stadium and sent his support to the family.
Poli Suárez, the Canary Islands' minister for education and sport, said the region was in complete mourning and the club was absolutely heartbroken, stressing that thoughts were with De Miguel's wife, daughter and wider family. The government has pledged support to the club, players and supporters, and a further tribute is planned for Saturday at 18:00 GMT.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
