Cristiano Ronaldo pays tribute after Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel dies aged 30

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his shock after Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died aged 30 from injuries sustained in a serious collision during his side’s match against FC Andorra.

The death prompted tributes from a number of football figures, including Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo, the Al Nassr forward, posted a message on his Instagram story following the announcement. He wrote: “A tragedy… I am lost for words… My thoughts and feelings are with the family. May his soul rest in peace.”

Jesus de Miguel was attempting to launch a counter-attack when he collided with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono. The goalkeeper had left his penalty area in an attempt to intercept the ball as the Tenerife player ran forward from halfway.

Owono’s knee struck de Miguel in the chest and face. The striker fell unconscious on the pitch, prompting players from both sides to call immediately for medical assistance.

Medical teams spent several minutes treating him on the field before he was carried away on a stretcher and taken to an ambulance. He was then transported to the University Hospital Nuestra Senora de Candelaria.

De Miguel suffered a cardiac and respiratory arrest, requiring medical staff to perform resuscitation while he was being taken to hospital. The attempts restored his pulse, but he remained unconscious and was admitted to the intensive care unit in a critical condition.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Tenerife announced that the player’s neurological condition had deteriorated. The club later confirmed his death, bringing an end to efforts to save him following the incident.