Hundreds of people gathered on Tuesday outside the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium to pay their respects to the player Jesús de Miguel with a minute’s silence and a floral tribute; he died this morning after failing to recover from the impact of a collision with Andorra’s goalkeeper, Jesús Owono.
The event, organised by the CD Tenerife Supporters‘ Federation, brought together fans of all ages, despite the rain falling on the capital of Tenerife, who took part in a moving tribute, laying posters, flowers, club scarves and candles at Gate 9 of the stadium, chosen because it was the player’s shirt number.
The news of his death was announced this morning, whilst the club’s players, coaching staff and youth teams made their way to the hospital where he was being treated to offer their condolences.
CD Tenerife: Memorial at the Heliodoro to continue until Saturday
Throughout the day, many people have come to the Heliodoro to join in the expressions of support for his family; these gatherings are expected to continue throughout the week until next Saturday, when the club has announced that it will hold a mass in his honour from 6.00 pm.
However, this afternoon’s gathering extended far beyond the stadium grounds, with hundreds of people standing in silence, their faces full of sorrow, breaking only to chant the name of Jesús de Miguel, applaud in his honour or sing the team’s anthem, one of the most moving moments of the occasion.
Wreaths have been arriving at Gate 9 of the Heliodoro stadium from public institutions, as well as from supporters‘ clubs, sports teams from other disciplines and even football clubs from other regions of Spain, such as Elche and Valladolid, all bearing messages of affection and a shared wish: «Rest in peace».
The rest of the tribute consisted of Tenerife flags, team scarves, photographs of the player with fans, and collector’s postcards featuring his image drawn and covered in hearts, amongst other items.
Jesús de Miguel: Fans are calling for the number 9 to be retired
Following the minute’s silence, a supporter asked those present for permission to read a letter dedicated to De Miguel, in which he recalled his career at CD Tenerife, the affection he was held in by both the team’s fans and the players, and his desire to remain with the club after securing their return to the second division.
It was a moment that brought tears to the eyes of everyone present and prompted them to embrace one another, until one of them, seizing on the moment of mourning, suggested aloud that the Chicharrero team should retire the number 9 in his honour, so that no one would ever forget him or what had happened, an idea that was met with a long round of applause.
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