Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel's family have said they have an 'impossible void to fill' as hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects after he was killed in a freak mid-match collision with a goalkeeper.
Mourners filled the streets of De Miguel’s hometown of Navahermosa in the foothills of Montes de Toledo, outside Toledo, where he was born and his family still live.
The 30-year-old Tenerife striker’s death after the on-pitch incident has stunned football-obsessed Spain and hundreds of members of the public turned out alongside his family and friends outside the parish church of San Miguel Arcángel.
The late striker’s body was delivered to the church in a black Mercedes with red and pink roses and flowers just before 2pm.
Hundreds of mourners, including his team-mates, followed behind, filling the entire street with the procession.
The road became so packed that some were forced to spill onto a side road as grievers observed a few minutes of silence before the church bells rang.
Almost the entire village, some sporting UD Tenerife scarves, appeared to be in attendance and many wept as they walked into the church.
The church was so packed with mourners that at least 200 people had to listen to the service while stood outside.
One message written on a small banner tied around the flowers on the hearse said ‘our family won’t forget you’.
The rest of the town sat empty with shops and restaurants closed as the church service took place. His family began delivering speeches inside the church shortly before 4pm.
Their voices were heard breaking as they held back tears while they spoke. At the end of each one, mourners inside and outside the church erupted into applause.
After the 75 minute service his body was carried out of the church in a coffin by friends and family and delivered to Navahermosa Municipal Cemetery.
Devastated teammates embraced each other firmly as they left the church, with tears visible.
The rest of the town followed behind the hearse as the procession made its way through the back streets of the village.
Jesus de Miguel's family said the striker has left an 'impossible void to fill' as they attended his funeral
The father of tragic footballer Jesus de Miguel is consoled at the 30-year-old's funeral
The hearse of Jesus de Miguel arrives for the funeral in Tenerife
The family of Jesus de Miguel today released a statement about his death (Miguel is pictured with his sister, girlfriend, daughter and parents (Source: Instagram/martitamig)
Wreaths were laid outside the cemetery by representatives of most football clubs in Spain’s top divisions alongside a banner of him celebrating.
Hundreds of mourners entered the graveyard and dozens were in tears as they watched his body lowered into the ground.
The family released a statement this morning about their shock.
Seaking on their behalf, Manuel Hernandez said: ‘Jesus leaves a void that is impossible to fill, but also an immense memory in all of us who have been lucky enough to share our lives with him.
‘Thank you to everyone who has remembered him, to his team-mates, friends, fans and all the clubs who have wanted to convey their condolences and accompany us in this painful moment.
‘Feeling such love for Jesus and witnessing the impact he has had on so many people is something we will always carry with us.’
After this afternoon’s church service De Miguel’s coffin will be transferred to Navahermosa municipal cemetery, where he will be buried.
The funeral was taking place just two days after the 30-year-old tragically passed away following a collision with rival Andorra FC goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second tier match.
The Tenerife striker was rushed to the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital on Monday evening after receiving a flying knee to the chest from Owono, before succumbing to his injuries the following morning.
His girlfriend and daughter were watching from the stands as the episode unfolded, with paramedics attempting to revive him on the pitch as he went into cardiac arrest before being rushed to hospital.
His body was flown to the Spanish mainland from Tenerife last night.
De Miguel grew up in Madrid but kept close ties with Navahermosa, a town of just 3,500 people sitting 80 miles south west of the Spanish capital, where his parents are from and his grandparents still reside.
Fondly nicknamed Demi by locals, he maintained a tight knit group of friends in the village where he would spend summers as a child. More recently he would train on the municipal football pitch ahead of preseasons.
It was in the town that his father was watching the game at a bar and began crying after seeing the collision. He and his wife soon rushed to Tenerife after being told their son was in intensive care.
Tenerife coach Alvaro Cervera arrives at the funeral in the striker's hometown of Navahermosa
De Miguel's Tenerife team-mates arrived at the funeral of the striker on Thursday
Spain's World Cup-winning manager Luis de la Fuente attended the funeral in Tenerife
De Miguel died on Tuesday morning after a horrifying clash in a Spanish second division match
Flowers and messages were left outside the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium in Tenerife
On Wednesday the town council declared three days of mourning, with flags flying at half mast at council buildings.
And fans will pay their respects on Saturday evening with a memorial service being held at the club’s Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium.
Tributes from across the footballing world have poured in since the tragedy.
His close friend Fernando Roman, who had been in contact with De Miguel's girlfriend, revealed she had been alone at the hospital before his parents arrived and has been hit 'very hard'.
Roman told Spanish broadcaster Vamos a Ver on Tuesday: 'Yesterday, my girlfriend and I were talking all afternoon and all night with María, his girlfriend, who was alone in the hospital.
'I've spoken with his girlfriend, and you can imagine how she is. Now we have to be with the family.
'We have to send our love to his family, to María, to his daughter Carla, who is a year and a few months old.
'It was unbelievable because we were talking about traveling to Disney with the girls, with my daughter too, and look what's happened.'
Roman also shared a letter on social media in tribute to De Miguel, reflecting on their friendship and stating he had 'brought happiness to everyone'.
'My friend... I can’t believe you’re gone... you have no idea how much I’m going to miss you. I didn’t just consider you a friend; I considered you a member of my own family,' Roman wrote.
'You were always there to help me when I was struggling—you were by my side during my worst moments.
'Many people didn’t truly know you, but having known you, I can say you were one of the best people I’ve ever had in my life: humble, hardworking, never one to look for trouble. You brought happiness to everyone around you, and above all, you were a truly good person.
'All the moments we shared keep coming to mind... that trip to Punta Cana with the four of us - a trip I will never forget... all the lunches and dinners we enjoyed together, the time we spent with our daughters, the escape rooms we both loved so much...
'In these difficult times for us, we want to sincerely thank everyone for the kind words and expressions of affection we are receiving.
'We don't have enough words to thank you for every message, every call, and every gesture of affection that we are receiving.
'Thank you to everyone who has remembered him, to his team-mates, friends, fans and all the clubs who have wanted to convey their condolences and accompany us in this painful moment.
'Feeling such love for Jesus and witnessing the impact he has had on so many people is something we will always carry with us.
'Therefore, we respectfully request that our privacy and that of all those accompanying us at this time be protected. We need to grieve in the peace and quiet that this situation requires.
'We understand the affection, concern, and support that her loss is generating, and we are deeply grateful. Jesus leaves a void impossible to fill, but also an immense memory in all of us who have been lucky enough to share our lives with him.
'Thank you for loving him, for remembering him, and for being with us. His family.'
'Tamara and I are absolutely devastated right now, but we know that from up above, you’ll still be with us—and, most importantly, with your daughter, with María, and with your entire family.
'My friend, I’m going to miss you so much... I love you dearly! REST IN PEACE!!'
Police investigating De Miguel's death are now probing the emergency medical response as well as the possibility rival goalkeeper Owono's horror tackle could be involuntary manslaughter.
It emerged on Tuesday that homicide squad officers based in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz had launched a probe as court officials explained any death 'not resulting from natural causes' automatically triggers a judicial investigation.
Legal experts have said they don't expect the ongoing investigation to lead to criminal charges against Andorra FC goalkeeper Owono because the clash occurred during open play, although he is expected to be hit with a lengthy ban.
The goalkeeper shared a statement on Wednesday, revealing he is in 'enormous pain' over the death of De Miguel.
Owono said: 'These are being the most difficult days of my life. I am struggling to find the words and find it very difficult to assimilate anything that has happened.
'I feel an enormous pain for the loss of Jesús. I think of him, his family, and everyone who loved him. I know there will be many issues to address; I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect.
The striker was struck in the chest by Owono's flying knee as he attempted to clear the ball
De Miguel was rushed off the field on a stretcher following the collision with Owono
Close friend Fernando Roman (left) has revealed Jesus De Miguel's girlfriend Maria had been alone in hospital prior to de Miguel's death on Tuesday. Source: X/@ferroman9
'But right now, honestly, I cannot think of anything else except Jesús and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesús.'
Medical personnel involved in the footballer's care are expected to be questioned and detectives will sift through medical reports as part of the probe.
Equatorial Guinea international Owono, who has lived in Spain since he was eight, was red-carded for kneeing De Miguel in the chest near the halfway line late into stoppage time. The match was suspended when the two sides were drawing 2-2.
His club confirmed around had died at a hospital in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz on Tuesday morning, saying they were 'heartbroken' and had a 'lump in their throats'.
The club said: 'Heartbroken, with a lump in our throats, and unable to believe this is true, CD Tenerife announces the tragic passing of Jesus de Miguel Alameda, which occurred this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8am.
'There are no words of comfort, there is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this profound sense of sorrow.
'We stand with his devastated family, his loved ones, and the entire 'tinerfeñismo' community, who today mourn this cruel outcome.
'Jesus de Miguel's family expresses their gratitude for every single gesture of support received, and they also earnestly request the utmost respect for their privacy during these terrible times.'