Photo credit, Getty Images
Jesus de Miguel's family said the "imprint he left on so many" would be something they would always remember, as the footballer's funeral took place on Thursday.
The 30-year-old Tenerife striker died following a serious injury suffered during a Spanish second division match on Monday.
After his collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, De Miguel remained motionless on the pitch while being treated by medical staff and was taken to hospital, where he died at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday.
Owono was sent off for this tackle and the match was interrupted.
De Miguel's funeral took place in Navahermosa, in the Toledo department, his parents' hometown, about 125 km from Madrid, the Spanish capital.
His Tenerife teammates carried his coffin before the ceremony in San Miguel Arcangel.
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Current Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was among those at the funeral, alongside Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, Atlético Madrid general manager Miguel Angel Gil Marin and former Real and Spain coach José Antonio Camacho.
De Miguel's agent, Manuel Hernandez, released a statement on behalf of the family, which read: "Thank you for loving him, remembering him and being with us."
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“We cannot find the words to thank you for every message, every call and every gesture of affection we receive.”
“Feeling such affection for Jesus and seeing the imprint he left on so many people is something we will always carry with us.”
“Jesus leaves a void that cannot be filled, but also precious memories for all of us who were lucky enough to share our lives with him.”
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Tributes have been paid to De Miguel, who joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025, with a minute's silence observed at all matches in European competitions this week.
In a statement released by his Andorran club on Wednesday, goalkeeper Owono said he was experiencing "the most difficult days of [his] life".
“I feel immense pain following the death of Jesus,” he added. “Thinking of him, his family and all those who loved him.”
The family also asked, “with the greatest respect, that our privacy – and that of everyone who supports us at this time – be respected.”
In the hours following news of the death, mourners laid flowers and lit candles at the foot of a black-and-white photo of De Miguel at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez, the stadium on the island of Tenerife where Monday's match took place.
“We must mourn in the calm and tranquility that this situation requires,” the press release added.
“We appreciate the affection, concern and support for his passing, and we are deeply grateful.”
Players demand postponement of all matches this weekend
The Spanish footballers' union, AFE, on Thursday requested the postponement of all matches this weekend out of respect for De Miguel.
Tenerife's match at Granada and Andorra's match against Mallorca have already been postponed, as have several midweek cup ties.
However, all Spanish teams involved in European competitions played their matches this week.
The AFE said of the weekend's matches: "The footballers have expressed their deep sadness at this death and do not believe that the psychological and human conditions necessary for the smooth running of the competition are in place."
The union said its members "in all categories" felt "unanimously" that the matches should not take place.
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We used AI to help translate this article, originally written in English. A BBC journalist checked the translation before publication. Learn more about how we use AI.
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