Jesus de Miguel’s family said “the mark he has left on so many people” is something they will always remember as the footballer’s funeral took place on Thursday.
The Tenerife forward, who was 30, died after suffering a serious injury during a Spanish second division match on Monday.
After colliding with the FC Andorra goalkeeper, De Miguel lay motionless on the pitch while being treated by medical staff and was taken to hospital, where the father-of-one died at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper Jesus Owono was sent off for the challenge and the game was abandoned.
In the hours after the death was announced, mourners laid flowers and lit candles beneath a black and white image of De Miguel at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez – the stadium on the island of Tenerife, where Monday’s game took place.
Tributes have been paid to De Miguel, who joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025, with a minute’s silence being held at all games in European competitions this week.
His agent, Manuel Hernandez, issued a statement on behalf of the family, which read: “Thank you for loving him, for remembering him and for being with us.
“We cannot find enough words to thank you for every message, every phone call and every gesture of affection we are receiving.
“Thank you to everyone who has remembered him – his colleagues, friends, supporters and all the clubs that have sent us their condolences and stood by us during this deeply painful time.
“Feeling such affection for Jesus and seeing the mark he has left on so many people is something we will always carry with us.”