Spanish striker Jesús de Miguel has become the latest footballer to die after a medical emergency during a match, recalling the deaths of Nigerian international Samuel Okwaraji and several other players whose careers ended in sudden tragedy.
De Miguel died in hospital on Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest following a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during Tenerife’s second-division fixture. The match was abandoned with the score at 2-2 after the incident in stoppage time.
Owono had rushed out of his area to clear a long ball when his knee struck De Miguel in the chest. The goalkeeper was sent off, while De Miguel received emergency treatment and was resuscitated before being taken to hospital. His condition later deteriorated.
The 30-year-old’s death adds to a series of football tragedies involving players who collapsed during matches or suffered fatal injuries on the pitch.
1. Samuel Okwaraji — Nigeria, 1989
Okwaraji collapsed while playing for Nigeria against Angola in a 1990 World Cup qualifying match at the National Stadium in Lagos on August 12, 1989.
The 25-year-old midfielder could not be revived after being taken for medical attention. His death was attributed to heart failure and remains one of the most painful episodes in Nigerian football.
2. Marc-Vivien Foé — Cameroon, 2003
Foé collapsed during Cameroon’s Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia in France on June 26, 2003.
The 28-year-old midfielder died despite efforts to revive him. His death shocked the football world and prompted renewed discussion about cardiac screening for professional players.
3. Miklós Fehér — Hungary, 2004
Fehér collapsed during Benfica’s league match against Vitória de Guimarães in Portugal on January 25, 2004.
The 24-year-old striker suffered cardiac arrest and could not be saved. Television footage of his collapse and the attempts to revive him became one of the most distressing images in Portuguese football.
4. Antonio Puerta — Spain, 2007
Sevilla midfielder Puerta collapsed during a Spanish league match against Getafe on August 25, 2007.
The 22-year-old initially regained consciousness and left the pitch with assistance but later suffered further cardiac complications. He died in hospital three days after the match.
5. Endurance Idahor — Nigeria, 2010
Idahor died after collapsing during a Sudanese league match between Al-Merrikh and Al-Amal on March 6, 2010.
The 25-year-old Nigerian striker was taken for medical attention but could not be saved, leaving teammates and supporters in shock.
6. Piermario Morosini — Italy, 2012
Morosini suffered a cardiac emergency during a Serie B match between Livorno and Pescara on April 14, 2012.
The 25-year-old midfielder collapsed on the pitch and received emergency treatment before being taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His death drew renewed scrutiny of medical emergency arrangements at football grounds.
7. Peter Biaksangzuala — India, 2014
Biaksangzuala suffered a serious spinal injury while celebrating a goal for Bethlehem Vengthlang in October 2014.
The 23-year-old midfielder attempted a backflip but landed awkwardly. He was taken to hospital and later died from his injuries.
8. Patrick Ekeng — Cameroon, 2016
Ekeng collapsed shortly after coming on as a substitute for Dinamo Bucharest against Viitorul Constanța in a Romanian league match on May 6, 2016.
The 26-year-old midfielder was rushed to hospital but could not be revived. His death raised concerns about the availability and use of emergency medical equipment during matches.
9. Raphael Dwamena — Ghana, 2023
Dwamena died after collapsing during an Albanian league match between Egnatia and Partizani on November 11, 2023.
The 28-year-old striker had previously been diagnosed with a heart condition and undergone medical procedures related to it. He suffered a cardiac emergency during the match and could not be saved.
10. Jesús de Miguel — Spain, 2026
De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest after colliding with Owono during Tenerife’s match against FC Andorra. The striker was treated on the pitch and resuscitated before being taken to hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care.
His condition deteriorated, and he died on Tuesday morning in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The cases span more than three decades, involving cardiac emergencies and traumatic injuries that cut short the lives of professional footballers while they were competing in the sport.
De Miguel Joins Football’s Roll of Tragedies After Okwaraji, Foé Deaths
