The president of Equatorial Guinea’s Football Federation has released a statement following the tragic death of CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel.

De Miguel lost his life after suffering head and chest injuries in a heavy collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, who has represented Equatorial Guinea’s national team on 47 occasions since 2019.

It’s understood De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest en route to the hospital before his condition deteriorated overnight. His death was confirmed on Tuesday morning, leaving the world of football rocked and united in grief.

“May he rest in peace,” Brazil international Raphinha said after Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday night. “In the end, this can happen to anyone. The truth is that it’s very tough... when we saw the news this morning, it was complicated. I’m incredibly shocked and sad.

“In the end, you go to play a match, and the same thing could happen to you. From myself, from the club, we want to send a lot of strength to his family.”

Owono 'Deeply Affected'

Spanish media say Owono, who has deleted his Instagram account following a wave of negative comments, was “crying and praying” in the dressing room after the match.

The 25-year-old is understood to have been deeply affected by the incident and was ‘visibly shaken’ throughout the journey back to Andorra.

"He is a caring, very kind person. He has no malice,” those close to the goalkeeper told AS, per The Mirror.

Equatorial Guinea's Statement

Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, president of Equatorial Guinea’s Football Federation, has expressed his “immense sorrow” following De Miguel’s death while also offering “all our solidarity and support” to Owono.

“To the attention of the Board of Directors and the entire CD Tenerife family: It is with deep shock and immense sorrow that I have received the news of the tragic death of your player Jesus de Miguel,” the translated statement posted to Instagram and relayed by Spanish outlets Cadena SER and El Chiringuito, reads.

“On behalf of the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation and in my own name, I wish to express our most sincere and heartfelt condolences for this irreparable loss.

“Football is a family that, in moments like this, unites in mourning. We want to convey our most supportive embrace to his family, his teammates, the coaching staff, and the entire blue-and-white fans, who are going through hours of indescribable sadness.

“Likewise, I feel the need to extend all our solidarity and support at this time to our player Jesus Lazaro Owono. We know that, as an involuntary [person] of this fatal incident during the game, he is experiencing this situation with deep affliction and desolation.

“From the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation, we offer him all our human and professional support, aware of the harshness of this event, which no one in our sport ever wishes to witness.

“We share in your mourning and place ourselves entirely at your disposal. Please accept our most sincere respect and support during these difficult times.”

Reports suggest Owono could be suspended for eight matches following his challenge on De Miguel, although whether the goalkeeper will even continue his career following such a traumatic incident remains unclear at this point.