The death of Jesús de Miguel after a collision with goalkeeper Jesús Owono during Sunday’s Tenerife-Andorra match has revived memories of José Antonio Gallardo, the Málaga goalkeeper who died in 1987 following an on-field collision. Such tragedies are rare in professional football, but the news has resonated with supporters in Málaga and elsewhere in Spain.
Gallardo was struck in the head by Celta forward Baltazar while diving to collect the ball during a match at Balaídos on December 21, 1986. After undergoing tests in Vigo, he was allowed to return to Málaga. He later suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and spent seven days in a coma after surgery. Gallardo died on January 15, 1987, aged 25.
The news has also recalled deaths that deeply affected Sevilla. Pedro Berruezo, a midfielder for the club, collapsed during a match against Pontevedra on January 7, 1973, and died of a heart attack aged 27. In 2007, Sevilla player Antonio Puerta collapsed during a game against Getafe and died three days later, aged 22.
Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque died of a heart attack on August 8, 2009, aged 26, while the team was staying near Florence. His memory remains closely associated with the club. Andrés Iniesta later paid tribute to Jarque with a message on his shirt after scoring the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final.
Sources: El País Deportes.