Barcelona striker Raphael has admitted that it was extremely difficult to focus on football during Tuesday’s victory of the Champions League against Aston Willas. Brazil found that news of Tenerife’s tragic death, Jesus De Miguel, had deeply influenced his emotional state before the match.
The Spanish football community was shocked Monday by news of the death of Jesus De Miguel at the age of 30. The attacker suffered cardiac arrest after a field crash with Real Oviedo goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
The Spanish Royal Football Federation decided to postpone for three days all local matches, while the challenges of the Champions League continued according to the calendar.
After the match ended, Raphael talked about Movistar, showing how heavy it was for him to land in the field under such tragic circumstances. Brazil was evidently affected and chose to talk more about human tragedy than about winning its team.
Wherever De Migueli is, I hope he finds his way. I want to send strength to his family… and today I don’t want to talk about football, Raphael said.
After seeing the news, I didn’t feel good. After all, he was a footballer like us. This could have happened to any of us. It could have happened to me, the Brazilian added.
The tragic loss of a same age football player particularly touched Barcelona’s assailant. Raphael further explained the effect this event had on him.
It’s very difficult to get out in the field and play a fight under such circumstances. He was a footballer of the same age as me. Maybe that’s why he touched me so much, he’s done.