Spanish second-division club Tenerife has announced that striker Jesus de Miguel has suffered a neurological deterioration following a serious head injury during Monday’s match against Andorra.
The club issued an update at 4am on Tuesday, confirming that the player’s condition had worsened neurologically. Tenerife said it would provide further information in the coming hours.
De Miguel, 30, was taken to the intensive care unit at the University Hospital of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria after a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
In an earlier statement, Tenerife said the striker was stable despite the severity of his condition and confirmed that hospital medical staff would provide updates as necessary.
Striker Reportedly Remains Unconscious After Hospital Emergency
Spanish media outlet Marca reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital and had to be revived inside the ambulance.
The reports also stated that he was breathing independently but remained unconscious.
Tenerife has not included further details about the reported cardiac arrest in its latest public update.
Collision With Andorra Goalkeeper Forces Match Abandonment
The incident happened deep into stoppage time during the Spanish second-division fixture, with the score level at 2-2.
The match had reached the seventh minute of added time when De Miguel appeared to be preparing to launch a counter-attack in search of a winning goal.
As a long ball dropped towards him, Owono came forward to clear it near the halfway line. The goalkeeper’s raised knee appeared to strike the Tenerife striker in the chest.
De Miguel initially rolled on the pitch before becoming motionless, prompting medical personnel to rush over to provide assistance.
Medical Staff Treat Player as Team-Mates Watch in Distress
De Miguel received treatment on the pitch for more than five minutes as his team-mates watched in distress. Some Tenerife players appeared to be in tears during the emergency.
Owono was initially shown a red card for the challenge. The referee subsequently abandoned the match as medical staff continued attending to the injured striker.
The stadium fell silent while De Miguel was receiving treatment. As he was carried away on a stretcher, spectators stood to applaud him.
He was taken to an ambulance, where reports indicated there was an approximately 15-minute delay before the vehicle departed for the hospital.
Andorra Sends Message of Support to Injured Striker
Andorra issued a statement following the incident, expressing support for De Miguel, his family and Tenerife.
The club said: “We want to send all our strength and best wishes to Jesus de Miguel after the serious incident suffered during today’s match.
“We hope he recovers soon. A very strong hug to the player, his family and Tenerife.”
Tenerife Team-Mates Visit Hospital as Owono Reportedly Affected
Spanish newspaper AS reported that De Miguel’s Tenerife team-mates travelled to the hospital to check on his condition.
Journalist Ivan Alvarez also reported that Owono had been deeply affected by the incident.
According to Alvarez, the Andorra goalkeeper intended to apologise to De Miguel privately before making any public statements.
Tenerife has said it will provide further information about the striker’s condition as updates become available.
