9th minute gathers opponents.. Valencia and Real Madrid wear unified shirts honoring De Miguel

Live 86’ LaLiga Spain

Valencia

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Real Madrid

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An emotional moment unfolded at the Estadio de Mestalla on Saturday 7 November 2026 as Valencia and Real Madrid supporters came together to honour the memory of Jesus de Miguel, the CD Tenerife striker who tragically passed away earlier this week.

During the ninth minute of the La Liga encounter, attention shifted away from the action on the pitch as supporters rose to their feet to pay tribute to the late footballer.

The tribute was accompanied by applause in recognition of De Miguel whose death on 3 November sent shockwaves through Spanish football.

The choice of the ninth minute was deeply symbolic, reflecting the number nine shirt worn by the Tenerife forward.

It was a poignant reminder that, beyond the competition and intense rivalry between two of Spain's most historic clubs, football can unite supporters in moments of tragedy.

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Why did Valencia and Real Madrid fans stand in the ninth minute?

The ninth minute tribute formed part of a coordinated initiative organised by the Royal Spanish Football Federation RFEF, La Liga and Liga F.

Under the campaign "Siempre en nuestro recuerdo", "Always in Our Memory", Spanish football authorities agreed to honour De Miguel during matches played between 6 and 9 November.

According to the official announcement from La Liga, referees were instructed to pause play at the first interruption from the ninth minute onwards.

Stadium screens would then display a commemorative video dedicated to the Tenerife forward while players and supporters joined in applause.

The significance of the gesture extended beyond the timing.

By selecting the ninth minute, organisers ensured that the number associated with De Miguel throughout his playing career became the centrepiece of a collective farewell.

At Mestalla, where Valencia and Real Madrid were contesting an important league fixture, the tribute created a moment of unity between opposing supporters.

For a brief period, the result and the rivalry became secondary to remembering a fellow footballer.

Valencia and Real Madrid unite before kickoff

The tribute was not limited to the ninth minute.

Valencia had already confirmed a series of commemorative measures ahead of the match.

In its official club statement, Valencia announced that the CD Tenerife flag would fly at half mast at Mestalla throughout the current round of La Liga and La Liga Hypermotion fixtures.

The starting players from Valencia and Real Madrid were also instructed to enter the pitch together, rather than in separate groups, wearing commemorative shirts honouring De Miguel.

The shirts displayed his number nine alongside the campaign's message of remembrance.

A floral tribute and a minute's silence before kickoff provided another opportunity for the players, match officials and supporters to show their respect.

These measures reflected the widespread grief following the forward's death and the determination of Spanish football to commemorate him collectively.

What happened to Jesus de Miguel?

De Miguel, a 30 year old striker representing CD Tenerife, died on Tuesday 3 November 2026, after suffering a serious injury during his club's Spanish second division match against FC Andorra the previous evening.

The incident occurred following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono, an international player for Equatorial Guinea.

De Miguel suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and was transported to hospital, where he subsequently died.

The match, which had been level at 2-2, was abandoned following the emergency.

As Foot Africa reported in its coverage of the tragedy, the incident had a profound emotional impact on Owono who was reportedly devastated by the news.

The goalkeeper had been sent off following the challenge but the tragedy should not be confused with any suggestion that he deliberately intended to cause De Miguel's death.

Andorra representatives emphasised that Owono had not intended to harm the Tenerife striker.

The incident triggered an outpouring of condolences from clubs, players and football officials across Spain and internationally.

Spanish football pauses to remember its number nine

The remembrance programme extended across professional and other national football competitions in Spain.

The same ninth minute protocol had already been observed during Sevilla's match against Alavés on Friday 6 November.

On Saturday, further tributes took place at stadiums including La Rosaleda, where Málaga faced Racing Santander.

The commemorations also reached women's football.

Real Madrid's women's team participated in a tribute during its encounter with Athletic Club at Lezama, where the game was stopped in the ninth minute and supporters applauded De Miguel's memory.

Meanwhile, several fixtures involving clubs connected to the tragedy were postponed.

The affected La Liga Hypermotion matches included Granada against Tenerife, Andorra against Mallorca, and Castellon against Eibar.

A women's fixture between Costa Adeje Tenerife and Deportivo Alavés was also postponed.

At Tenerife's Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez López, supporters were invited to participate in a separate memorial ceremony on Saturday.

Together, these gestures reflected an unusually coordinated response across the Spanish football community.

A ninth minute that meant more than football

Matches between Valencia and Real Madrid are traditionally associated with intense competition, fierce atmospheres and enormous sporting pressure.

Saturday's encounter was no exception in competitive terms.

Yet the tribute to Jesus de Miguel created a moment in which the rivalry temporarily disappeared.

Supporters who had arrived to back opposing teams found common ground in remembering a player whose death had affected the wider football community.

The image of spectators rising to applaud a footballer who was not representing either club illustrated the significance of the nationwide tribute.

For Tenerife, the loss of De Miguel remains an immeasurable tragedy.

For Spanish football, the number nine has taken on a new significance during this weekend's fixtures.

At Mestalla, the ninth minute was not about Valencia, Real Madrid or the scoreline. It was about remembering Jesus de Miguel, and demonstrating that some moments are bigger than football.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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