Death of Miguel de Jesus: "You can imagine her state," close friend reveals exchanges with player's partner

Tenerife forward Miguel de Jesus died Tuesday after a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono; his close friend Fernando Román revealed conversations with his partner María at the hospital.

Miguel de Jesus, a forward for Tenerife, died on Tuesday following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during an uncontrolled rush in their match. His close friend Fernando Román spoke to Spanish television about the tragedy, revealing he and his girlfriend spent Monday afternoon and night at the hospital with María, de Jesus's partner, who was alone there. "You can imagine her state," Román said. "We need to be there for his family, for María, for his daughter Carla, who is just over a year old."

Román paid tribute on social media, writing: "You were not just a friend, you were a member of my family." He recalled shared moments including lunches, dinners, time with their daughters, and escape games they enjoyed together. He noted they had been planning a trip to Disney with the children when the tragedy struck.

De Jesus's father was watching the match at a bar in their hometown and wept immediately upon seeing the collision. The family, from the small town of Navahermosa in Toledo province, travelled to the island after the incident. His funeral took place Thursday afternoon in his hometown, drawing the Spanish football community.