Mina Bonino urges fans to stop online abuse of Andorra goalkeeper after Jesus de Miguel’s death

Mina Bonino, the wife of Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, has called for an end to the online abuse directed at Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Ouono after the death of Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel.

De Miguel, aged 30, died after a heavy collision with Ouono during the match between Tenerife and Andorra. The goalkeeper was sent off following the incident and has since faced widespread criticism and accusations on social media.

Bonino said Ouono’s challenge had been reckless and had resulted in a tragedy, but insisted he had not intended to kill his opponent.

Writing on her Instagram story, the Argentine journalist said: “I think it is essential that we stop. What happened is a tragedy. I do not even want to imagine the suffering of the player’s family, his daughter, parents and wife. There is no consolation or words that can ease their pain at this moment.”

She added: “Unfortunately, we were unable to prevent his death, but as a society we can take responsibility to avoid another tragedy.”

‘Ouono is not a killer’

Bonino directly addressed the hostility aimed at the goalkeeper, acknowledging the consequences of his mistake while urging people not to condemn him as a criminal.

“Ouono will suffer throughout his life because he made a mistake,” she wrote. “It was a reckless challenge that cost his team-mate his life and may also destroy his own life, but he is not a killer. We are not in a position to judge someone who had no intention of killing.”

She continued: “He will serve the punishment imposed on him and will carry a social condemnation that may affect his life for ever, but we still have time to stop and prevent another death.”

Bonino said the reaction to the incident reflected a wider problem with the way people use social media. She argued that online platforms had moved beyond their original purpose and had become places where users appointed themselves as judges.

“We live in a society full of hatred,” she said. “Instead of social media being a window through which to get to know people, it has become the worst place in the world, where everyone has become a judge who condemns you for ever.”

She ended her message with a warning about the potential consequences of online bullying.

“Then we cry when someone takes their own life, but changing this reality is still in our hands,” she said.

De Miguel’s death has caused widespread shock in Spanish football. Ouono’s dismissal came immediately after the collision, which occurred during the meeting between Tenerife and Andorra, and the goalkeeper was subsequently subjected to a wave of attacks and accusations online.