Will the usual celebration turn solemn? Before the first whistle on Matchday 4, players, coaches and fans across Europe will pause to honor a member of the football family, casting a somber tone over the night.
UEFA confirmed a minute‑long silence will be observed before every match it runs this week – Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues – following the death of CD Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel Alameda.
The 30‑year‑old striker collapsed on Nov. 3 after a knee from FC Andorra keeper Jesus Owono struck his chest in the 98th minute of a 2‑2 Segunda Division tie. Treated on the pitch, he briefly regained a pulse before succumbing in Tenerife hospital hours later, CD Tenerife said.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin called the news “heart‑breaking” and said the only fitting response was silence. CD Tenerife echoed the sentiment, asking for privacy, while the RFEF sent condolences to his family and supporters.
A career built on perseverance
Born in Madrid on Sept. 21, 1996, Jesus de Miguel – known as “Demi” – cut his teeth in the youth setups of CDE Lugo Fuenlabrada and CD Leganés.
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After stepping up to Leganés B in 2015‑16, he drifted through Spain’s lower leagues, featuring for Internacional de Madrid, CF Fuenlabrada and Union Adarve. He netted nine times in 2017‑18, helping Internacional earn promotion to Segunda B.
He kept scoring at CDA Navalcarnero, including a playoff goal that lifted the club to Segunda B, then added 12 goals and four assists for Unionistas de Salamanca in 2021‑22.
That form earned him a move to CD Castellón in 2023; he helped the side win its Primera Federación group and secure direct promotion. He debuted professionally at 27 against Eibar in 2024 and soon after bagged a brace versus Almería, ending with 25 goals in 88 games for Castellón.
In July 2025 he signed for CD Tenerife, freshly relegated to the third tier. He struck seven times in the opening six matches and finished with 11, driving the club back to Segunda División.
His career never chased glittering trophies, yet his perseverance and love for the game left a lasting imprint – a legacy of promotions, clutch goals and an inspiring climb from the depths of Spanish football. In my view, his rise shows the power of grit. Will his story inspire the next generation of lower‑league talent?