Back
Lionel Messi has joined the chorus of figures in the soccer world offering condolences to friends and family of Jesus de Miguel, the Tenerife player who died Tuesday, Nov. 3 after a collision in a match the day before.
The former FC Barcelona forward posted an Instagram story with a picture of the late forward, who suffered cardiac arrest after coming together with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono as both players contested the ball late in the second half of the match, which was abandoned after the serious incident.
"There are no words… My condolences and strength to all his family and friends," Messi wrote. "May he rest in peace."
Messi never played with or against the 30-year-old De Miguel, who spent most of his career with lower-division clubs in Madrid and Valencia, but remains a figure in touch with Spanish soccer. He recently completed the purchase of a second lower-level club in Spain, buying CD Eldense, which sits one spot below Tenerife in the La Liga 2 table. He also owns UE Cornellà, a club in Catalonia.
Messi's former club, FC Barcelona, will conduct a moment of silence before its UEFA Champions League match against Aston Villa to honor De MIguel among other tributes being planned.