Raphinha emotional after Tenerife's De Miguel dies from collision injury
Barcelona captain Raphinha fought back tears after Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League win over Aston Villa, saying he's 'very sad' over the death of Tenerife attacker Jesús De Miguel. De Miguel, 27, died Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest following a harsh collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a match on Monday.
Raphinha told CBS Sports he didn't want to speak about football. 'I would like to send strength to Jesús' family who today woke up to very sad news, the news of his passing. He was a player who was the same age as me. I don't know if that is why it affected me more.'
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through European football. De Miguel played for Tenerife in Spain's second division. The collision with Owono left him unconscious on the pitch before he was rushed to hospital. He never regained consciousness.
For Nigerian football fans who follow La Liga and the Champions League closely, it's a sobering moment. Another young professional gone doing what he loved. Player safety protocols are again under scrutiny after another life lost on the pitch.