The quiet village of Navahermosa in La Mancha saw unprecedented crowds on Thursday afternoon as mourners gathered in silence for the funeral of Jesús de Miguel Alameda, known as “Demi.” The Tenerife striker tragically passed away following an on-field collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono three days prior. While only 3,587 people reside in his family’s village, figures from across Spanish football traveled to pay their final respects, with Spain manager Luis de la Fuente stating that football unites in moments of pain.
A Tragedy That Shocked the Football World
De Miguel’s partner, Maria, watched from the stands with their 16-month-old daughter, Clara, as the fatal collision occurred in the 96th minute of a second division match. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch, treating the 30-year-old player for six minutes before transferring him to a hospital in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Although medics briefly re-established a pulse and had him breathing, his neurological condition deteriorated overnight, and he passed away at 8am. A preliminary autopsy pointed to commotio cordis, a rare trauma of the thorax occurring within a narrow 40-millisecond window in the cardiac cycle, prompting a routine investigation into the incident and medical protocols.
Tributes poured in from across the sport as teammates, opponents, and officials expressed their grief. Barcelona captain Raphinha noted the shocking nature of the tragedy, highlighting that De Miguel was a fellow partner and father. Televised interviews and tributes recalled his humble background, starting in Leganés’ academy and working his way up through modest clubs before finally reaching the second division at age 27. Former teammate Javi Alonso remembered him as a hardworking footballing labourer and an active member of the AFE players’ union who was always willing to help others.
Mourners Gather for the Final Farewell
Clubs and organizations rallied around the grieving family, with former Tenerife player Fran Sol launching a crowdfunding page, and Almería pledging gate receipts from their upcoming match against Tenerife. While the players’ union pushed to suspend matches, La Liga confirmed that fixtures would proceed, excluding those involving Tenerife, Andorra, and De Miguel’s former club Castellón. Meanwhile, memorials took place across Europe, including a tribute by Como’s Nico Paz in the Champions League and commemorative blue and white kits worn by Las Palmas.
De Miguel’s body was flown to the mainland ahead of the funeral in his parents’ village, which drew high-profile attendees including club presidents from Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, Andorra owner Gerard Piqué, sports minister Milagros Tolón Jaime, and representatives from Sevilla. Manuel Hernandez, De Miguel’s agent, expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support and affection shown during the difficult time. As the service concluded, Tenerife’s players lifted the coffin onto their shoulders, carrying their teammate through the crowded plaza to his final resting place.
