Raphinha says it was hard to play after De Miguel's death: It could have been me'

Barcelona forward Raphinha has reflected on the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, saying it was hard for him to play Tuesday's UEFA Championship game against Aston Villa. De Miguel died in hospital a day after he suffered a cardiac arrest following an on-filed collision with Real Oviedo goalkeeper Jesús Owono on Monday, November 2, 2026. He was 30. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced a three-day mourning for late De Miguel. Raphinha netted twice as Barça beat Premier League side Villa 3-0 at Spotify Camp Nou. 'Wherever (De Miguel) is, I hope he finds his way,' Raphinha told Movistar after the game. 'I want to send his family strength… and today, not talk about football.' 'After I saw the news, I didn't feel good. In the end, he was a fellow football player. This could have happened to any of us. It could have happened to me.' 'It's very difficult to go out and play a game in these circumstances. He was a player who was the same age as me. Maybe that's why it affected me so much.' As a mark of respect, the Champions League hymn was not played before kickoff at Camp Nou, with a minute's silence held for De Miguel instead. Raphinha managed to continue his incredible form at the start of the season, scoring twice after Lamine Yamal had opened the scoring sheet as Barça ended Villa's perfect start in the Champions League this season. Raphinha, playing as a striker, netted 19 goals in all competitions this season, the most in Europe's top five leagues.