Messi’s message, published on Instagram on Tuesday, ran to three lines.

“There are no words… My condolences and lots of strength to all his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”

De Miguel, a 30-year-old forward, died on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest following the on-field collision in Monday’s match, Hola reported, citing CD Tenerife. He had been struck in the chest in added time by FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who had rushed out of his area as far as midfield in an apparent attempt to challenge for a long ball. The match was level at 2-2 and was abandoned after the incident.

Mbappé: “So much sadness”

Mbappé’s tribute carried an almost identical phrase. The Real Madrid forward wrote on social media: “So much sadness. There are no words,” according to the Associated Press via ABC News.

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The same AP account reported that Real Madrid’s players held a minute of silence during training, while English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool, La Liga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation also offered their condolences. The federation postponed two Copa del Rey matches and one Copa de la Reina match scheduled for later on Tuesday. FC Andorra owner Gerard Piqué wrote on X: “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesús.”

Owono “crying and praying” in the dressing room

Owono was shown a straight red card for the incident and has since taken down his Instagram account after a wave of abusive messages, Yahoo Sports reported, citing Spanish daily AS. The same report described the goalkeeper as “crying and praying” in the dressing room at full time and visibly shaken on the journey back to Andorra. Sources close to him told AS: “He is a caring, very kind person. He has no malice.”

FC Andorra said in a statement, per AP: “We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel, to all his colleagues and friends, and to CD Tenerife. May he rest in peace.”

Spain’s National Police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, which is standard under Spanish law when a death results from non-natural causes. FC Andorra said the collision was accidental, and no charges have been brought against Owono.

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