Tributes have poured in from across the football world after Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel died aged 30 following a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second-division match, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest after being struck in the chest during Monday’s 2-2 draw at Tenerife and died in hospital Tuesday, his club confirmed.

Spain’s National Police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter. Under Spanish law, deaths resulting from non-natural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial investigation.

However, Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor Jose Luis Sanchez-Jauregui told Spanish news agency EFE that criminal proceedings were unlikely because the collision occurred during normal play.

The incident happened in stoppage time when De Miguel chased a long ball near midfield and Owono rushed out of his penalty area to challenge for it. The goalkeeper, approaching from the opposite direction, struck the Tenerife forward in the chest.

De Miguel initially dropped to his knees, clutching his torso, before collapsing onto his back with his arms at his sides. He received emergency medical attention before being taken to hospital.

Owono was shown a straight red card for the challenge. Although he initially began walking off the field, the goalkeeper turned around and joined players from both teams who rushed to De Miguel’s aid.

The match was abandoned following the incident.

The goalkeeper’s Instagram account, which had nearly 30,000 followers, was deactivated Tuesday. Separately, Michel Owono, a footballer with sixth-division Spanish club Can Vidalet who shares the goalkeeper’s surname, reported receiving racist abuse from people who mistakenly identified him as the Andorra player.

Tenerife, based in Spain’s Canary Islands, said it was devastated by the loss of a player affectionately known as “Demi” among his teammates.

“There are no words of comfort,” the club said in a statement. “There is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this profound sense of sorrow. We stand with his devastated family, his loved ones, and the entire Tenerife community.”

Club president Felipe Miñambres said players, their families and supporters would need professional assistance to cope with the tragedy.

“We will need professional help and the help of all of our fans,” he said. “They will be feeling the same way that we are feeling today.”

Tenerife requested the postponement of its scheduled league match against Granada on Saturday.

The club’s largest shareholder, Rayco Garcia, said De Miguel’s body would be transported to Navahermosa, in Spain’s Toledo province, at the family’s request. His teammates and club officials would be present for a final farewell.

Supporters are also expected to gather at the team’s stadium Saturday to honor the forward.

“We will all join forces and get through this together,” Garcia said.

Miñambres said Tenerife wanted to ensure De Miguel received a fitting tribute and would remain part of the club’s history.

“We need to give Demi the tribute he deserves,” he said. “And from that point on we will always carry him in our hearts.”

De Miguel is survived by his wife and their daughter, who was born last year.

Former teammate Fernando Román also paid tribute, describing him as humble, hardworking and, above all, a good person.

Recalling holidays they had shared, time spent with their daughters and other personal memories, Román said he had considered De Miguel family rather than simply a friend.

“I can’t believe you are gone,” he wrote on social media. “You can’t imagine how much I am going to miss you.”

Football world unites in tribute

Condolences arrived from clubs, players and football organizations across Europe following the announcement of De Miguel’s death.

FC Andorra, owned by former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, expressed its sympathy to De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife.

“We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, to all his colleagues and friends, and to CD Tenerife. May he rest in peace,” the club said.

Pique also posted a message on X, writing: “I am sorry with all my soul. Rest in peace, Jesus.”

Argentina great Lionel Messi sent his condolences through Instagram, while Real Madrid players observed a minute of silence during training.

Kylian Mbappe also expressed his sadness on social media, writing: “So much sadness. There are no words.”

Manchester United and Liverpool were among the English clubs that paid tribute, while Espanyol postponed the presentation of its new coach.

The Spanish football federation postponed all Copa del Rey and Copa de la Reina matches scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. UEFA also announced that moments of silence would be observed at its matches throughout the week.

The tributes continued during Tuesday’s Champions League fixtures.

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, the three Spanish clubs hosting matches, omitted the competition’s customary anthem before kickoff in De Miguel’s memory.

Stadiums across Europe, including Old Trafford during Manchester United’s match against Roma, observed moments of silence as images of the Tenerife forward appeared on stadium screens.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and midfielder Mikel Merino, both Spaniards, also opened their news conferences ahead of Wednesday’s match against Slavia Prague by paying tribute to De Miguel.

A career built through Spain’s lower divisions

Born in Madrid in 1996, De Miguel spent nearly a decade working his way through Spanish football’s lower divisions before establishing himself as a second-division striker.

He began his senior career with Leganes B in 2015 before moving between several clubs, primarily in and around the Spanish capital.

His most productive scoring season came after joining Castellón in 2023. He scored 16 goals, playing a significant role in the club’s promotion to the second division.

After struggling to reproduce that form in the higher tier, he moved to Tenerife in the summer of 2025.

The transfer revived his scoring form. Back in the third division, he netted six goals in his first five appearances and finished the campaign with 11, helping Tenerife secure promotion.

Standing 1.9 meters (6 feet, 2 inches) tall and favoring his left foot, De Miguel was a traditional center forward who relied on his physical presence and ability to compete for aerial balls.

Although he was not widely recognized among Spain’s casual football supporters, he had built a career through persistence and years of work in the lower divisions.

Fatal collisions remain rare in football

De Miguel’s death has renewed attention on the risks of serious injuries during football matches, although fatal on-field collisions remain extremely rare.

Last year, 19-year-old goalkeeper Raul Ramirez died after sustaining head injuries during a fifth-division match in Spain. The Colindres goalkeeper suffered two cardiorespiratory arrests, one on the field and another inside the ambulance transporting him to hospital. He was declared brain dead two days later.

In 2001, Ukrainian goalkeeper Serhiy Perkhun died from head injuries sustained in a collision during a match while playing for CSKA Moscow.

Former Málaga goalkeeper Jose Antonio Gallardo also died in January 1987, more than three weeks after colliding with Celta Vigo forward Baltazar during a second-division match.

Authorities have not disclosed the precise medical cause of De Miguel’s death beyond confirming that he suffered cardiac arrest. There were no reported indications that he had a pre-existing medical condition.

Trabzonspor will look to extend their perfect start to the UEFA Conference League when they host German side Freiburg at Papara Park on Thursday, with Thomas Reis’ men chasing a third consecutive European victory and a place among the competition’s early pace-setters.

The Black Sea Storm head into the Matchday 3 encounter in impressive form, having won their opening two league-phase matches and recorded seven successive victories across all competitions.

Freiburg, meanwhile, arrive in Türkiye with renewed confidence after recovering from a difficult spell with back-to-back domestic wins.

Thursday’s match, which kicks off at 8:45 p.m. local time, will also mark Trabzonspor’s 160th appearance in European competition and their first meeting with Freiburg.

Trabzonspor have made an encouraging start to their continental campaign, opening with an entertaining 4-2 away victory over Finland’s KuPS before beating Scotland’s Hearts 2-0 at Papara Park.

Those results have complemented an impressive domestic run under Reis, who has overseen victories against Beşiktaş, Rizespor and Gaziantep, among others, as the Turkish side continue to build momentum.

Their home form has been particularly encouraging, with six consecutive victories at Papara Park. Another win would extend that sequence to seven and give them a third straight triumph in major European competition, a feat they have not achieved since November 2013.

A victory would also see Trabzonspor win their first three league-phase matches in a European campaign for only the second time in the club’s history.

However, Freiburg represent a different level of opposition from their previous Conference League opponents, bringing considerable European experience despite their inconsistent start to the season.

Julian Schuster’s side reached last season’s UEFA Europa League final before losing to Aston Villa in Istanbul, underlining their ability to compete against established continental opposition.

Freiburg began this season’s Conference League campaign with a narrow 3-2 victory over Jablonec but suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Monaco in their second fixture. Their European setback was followed by a 3-1 Bundesliga loss to Bayern Munich, extending a difficult spell for the German club.

They have since responded with a 3-2 victory over Wolfsburg in the DFB-Pokal before securing a 2-1 away win against Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

Despite that recovery, Freiburg’s away record in European competition remains a concern. They have lost four of their previous five continental away matches, a statistic Trabzonspor will hope to exploit in front of their home supporters.

The visitors will also be wary of a Trabzonspor side that have demonstrated considerable attacking threat, scoring four goals against KuPS and producing another convincing performance against Rizespor in the league.

Thursday’s encounter will be the first time the clubs have faced each other, adding another chapter to Trabzonspor’s European history.

The Turkish side have played 159 matches in continental competition since making their European debut in the 1976-77 season, recording 58 victories, 39 draws and 62 defeats. They have scored 200 goals and conceded 216.

Their European record includes 30 matches in the European Cup and UEFA Champions League, 99 in the UEFA Cup and Europa League, 12 in the Cup Winners’ Cup, eight in the Intertoto Cup and 10 in the Conference League.

The Freiburg match will be Trabzonspor’s 11th appearance in the Conference League, a competition they first entered during the 2021-22 season.

Across their previous 10 matches in the tournament, they have recorded three victories, four draws and three defeats, scoring 13 goals and conceding 14.

Their European campaign this season also included two defeats against Hungarian side Ferencváros in the Europa League playoff round, losing 1-0 at home before suffering a 4-0 defeat away. They subsequently dropped into the Conference League, where their performances have been considerably more encouraging.

The match will also end a 27-year wait for Trabzonspor to face another German opponent in European competition. Their previous meeting with a German club came against Hamburg in the 1999-2000 Intertoto Cup semifinals.

Trabzonspor drew the first leg 2-2 at home on July 28, 1999, but lost the return leg 4-1 on Aug. 4 to exit the competition.

Overall, the Turkish club have faced German opposition eight times, winning once, drawing twice and losing five matches.

Their biggest European victory remains a 6-0 win over Albania’s Vllaznia in the 2007-08 Intertoto Cup, while their heaviest defeat came against Barcelona in the 1990-91 Cup Winners’ Cup, when they lost 7-2 away from home.

Former striker Hami Mandıralı remains the club’s leading European goalscorer with 23 goals.

Trabzonspor will have several selection problems to manage ahead of Freiburg’s visit.

Sidny Lopes Cabral is suspended following his red card against Hearts, while Aral Şimşir, Franculino Dju, Arseniy Batagov and young goalkeeper Onuralp Çevikkan are ruled out through injury.

There are also concerns over the availability of Ruslan Malinovskyi, Okay Yokuşlu and Cihan Çanak, while Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu’s fitness will be monitored after he returned to the starting lineup against Gaziantep following a two-match absence through injury.

Freiburg are expected to be without Philipp Treu, who is recovering from an ankle problem, and Florent Muslija, who remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.

Schuster should nevertheless have experienced options available, particularly in central defense, where Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart are expected to provide stability.

Maximilian Eggestein and Yannik Engelhardt are among the midfield alternatives, while Vincenzo Grifo, Yuito Suzuki and Jan-Niklas Beste could supply the creativity behind Igor Matanovic.

Matanovic arrives in Istanbul in encouraging form, having scored in each of Freiburg’s last two matches.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Real Madrid will look to maintain their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League when they visit AEK Athens on Wednesday, with the Spanish giants aiming to extend their winning streak and strengthen their position among the league phase leaders.

Los Blancos have collected nine points from their opening three matches to sit fourth in the 36-team standings. AEK, meanwhile, occupy 29th place with three points after a promising opening victory was followed by two heavy defeats.

The Greek side began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over LASK Linz but have struggled since, losing 3-1 to Shakhtar Donetsk on Oct. 14 before suffering a 5-1 defeat against Manchester City six days later.

Marko Nikolic’s team have also endured a difficult domestic run, losing four of their last five matches across all competitions, including consecutive defeats against PAOK and Panathinaikos. Wednesday’s meeting therefore presents a demanding challenge for a side searching for a response in front of its home supporters.

However, AEK can draw some encouragement from their previous encounters with the Spanish giants. The teams have met four times in European competition, with AEK winning once, Real Madrid claiming one victory and the other two matches ending in draws.

Their first meetings came in the 1985 UEFA Cup first round. AEK secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg but were comprehensively eliminated after Real Madrid responded with a 5-0 win in the return fixture.

The sides met again in the 2002-03 Champions League group stage, drawing both encounters. Their meeting in Athens ended 3-3, leaving AEK unbeaten at home against the Spanish club.

Real Madrid’s record against Greek opposition on the road also offers the hosts some encouragement. The Spanish side have won only one of their last eight away UEFA matches against Greek teams, drawing five times.

Despite those historical challenges, Real Madrid arrive in Athens in considerably better form. The capital club have won their last six matches in all competitions, recovering strongly from a 2-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby before the previous international break.

They head into Wednesday’s contest after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Racing de Santander in La Liga, while their most recent European outing produced an emphatic 4-1 win against RB Leipzig.

With nine points from three matches, Real Madrid remain firmly in contention near the top of the Champions League standings. Their remaining league phase opponents are PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal, LASK Linz and Shakhtar Donetsk, making another victory important as they look to secure a favorable position ahead of the knockout rounds.

AEK will be without goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, who is sidelined with a hand injury. Joao Mario and Lazaros Rota are also doubts after falling ill and will need to be assessed before kickoff.

Former Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic is expected to lead the hosts’ attack. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a productive campaign, scoring seven goals in 15 appearances.

Barnabas Varga is another attacking option for Nikolic, with the forward leading AEK’s scoring charts after finding the net nine times in 13 appearances across all competitions.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, could welcome back Federico Valverde after the Uruguay international returned to training following a hamstring problem. He has a strong chance of making the squad, although his availability for a starting role remains uncertain.

Vinicius Junior is also available, with the Brazilian expected to return to the starting lineup on the left wing after serving a domestic suspension.

However, Rodrygo, who is recovering from a knee injury, and Raul Asencio, sidelined with a leg problem, will miss the trip.

Yan Diomande could be handed a starting role on the right, allowing Arda Güler to move into central midfield. Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe are expected to feature in the attacking setup as Real Madrid look to maintain their impressive European form.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Spanish second-division club CD Tenerife confirmed Tuesday that striker Jesus de Miguel has died at the age of 30, a day after suffering a cardiac arrest following a collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a league match against FC Andorra.

De Miguel collapsed after being struck in the chest by Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during the closing stages of Monday’s match at Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The game was abandoned with the score tied 2-2.

The incident occurred seven minutes into stoppage time when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to intercept a long ball near the halfway line. As the two players challenged for possession, the goalkeeper’s raised knee struck De Miguel in the chest, sending the Tenerife forward crashing to the ground.

De Miguel remained motionless as players from both teams immediately called for medical assistance. Medical personnel rushed onto the pitch and treated the striker for more than five minutes before he was carried off and transported to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Senora de Candelaria by ambulance.

He suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest during the journey and was resuscitated by emergency personnel before being admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Although the club initially reported that he was in a stable condition despite the seriousness of his injuries, his condition deteriorated overnight. Tenerife subsequently confirmed his death at 8 a.m. local time Tuesday, Nov. 3.

“Racked with pain, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe that this is true, from CD Tenerife we communicate the tragic passing of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” the club said in a statement.

“There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this feeling overflowing with sadness.”

The club extended its condolences to De Miguel’s family, friends, teammates and supporters, adding that his family had expressed gratitude for the messages of support while requesting privacy and respect during their time of grief.

Monday’s match was halted following the incident, with Owono shown a straight red card for the challenge. Players from both sides were visibly distressed, while several of De Miguel’s Tenerife teammates broke down in tears as medical staff worked to save him.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) had earlier expressed its support for the striker and the Tenerife family, joining several Spanish clubs in sending messages of encouragement as news of his hospitalization emerged.

The tragedy has since prompted an outpouring of condolences across Spanish football, with attention turning to De Miguel’s family and the teammates who witnessed the incident.

A career built through Spanish football’s lower divisions

Born in Madrid on Sept. 21, 1996, De Miguel developed his career through Spain’s lower divisions before establishing himself as a prolific forward and earning a place in professional football.

He began his senior career with Leganes B in 2015 and subsequently represented several clubs, including Internacional de Madrid, Fuenlabrada, Union Adarve, Navalcarnero and Unionistas de Salamanca.

His breakthrough came after joining CD Castellon in January 2023. He played an important role in the club’s promotion campaign during the 2023-24 season, finishing as the leading scorer in his group with 16 goals.

His performances earned him a move to Tenerife in July 2025, where he signed a three-year contract and took on the No. 9 shirt.

The striker had continued his career with the Canary Islands club in the Spanish second tier before Monday’s match ended in tragedy.

Owono, meanwhile, is a 25-year-old goalkeeper born in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, who represents both FC Andorra and the Equatorial Guinea national team. He previously developed through the youth systems of Real Sociedad and Alaves before making his senior breakthrough in Spanish football.

The abandoned fixture will be subject to a decision by competition authorities, but its result has been overshadowed by the death of De Miguel.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Fenerbahçe face a difficult test when they host Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, with the Turkish side desperate for their first victory in the competition and interim manager Dirk Kuyt preparing to take on his former club.

The Matchday 4 encounter will kick off at 8:45 p.m. local time at Chobani Stadium in Istanbul.

Fenerbahçe enter the contest under pressure after a disappointing start to their European campaign, collecting just two points from their opening three matches. They have drawn 1-1 with Roma and 2-2 with Slavia Prague, with a heavy 6-0 defeat away to Aston Villa separating the two results.

The draw against Slavia was particularly frustrating for the Yellow Canaries, who surrendered a two-goal advantage at home. Their domestic form has also deteriorated, with consecutive defeats against Galatasaray and Göztepe adding to the pressure ahead of Liverpool’s visit.

Fenerbahçe currently sit 31st in the 36-team league phase standings and need a positive result to revive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive in Istanbul with a perfect Champions League record, having won all three of their opening matches to collect nine points and move into third place.

The English side defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 before recording a 6-3 victory over LASK and edging Villarreal 4-3 in an entertaining encounter. Their 12 goals make them one of the competition’s most productive attacking sides after three rounds.

Wednesday’s match will also mark the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

Kuyt’s emotional reunion

Much of the attention will center on Fenerbahçe interim manager Dirk Kuyt, who will face the club where he established himself as a popular figure in English football.

The former Netherlands international spent six years at Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, scoring 71 goals in 285 appearances before joining Fenerbahçe in 2012.

Kuyt was appointed interim manager on Oct. 28 following İsmail Kartal’s resignation after Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 derby defeat to Galatasaray. He took charge of his first match against Göztepe, but suffered another 2-1 defeat, leaving him searching for his first victory in the dugout.

His immediate task is to restore confidence in a side that has struggled defensively, particularly in Europe, while finding a way to contain Liverpool’s attacking threat.

The Dutchman will also be looking to use Fenerbahçe’s home advantage to end the club’s prolonged Champions League drought.

Fenerbahçe’s European winless run

Fenerbahçe have gone nine consecutive matches without a victory in the Champions League’s main competition, their longest such run in the club’s history.

Their last win came on April 2, 2008, when they defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the quarterfinal first leg during a memorable European campaign under Brazilian coach Arthur Zico.

Since then, the Turkish side have recorded three draws and six defeats in the competition’s group and league phases.

Their return to the Champions League league phase this season marks their seventh appearance in the tournament, having previously competed in 1996-97, 2001-02, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-08 and 2008-09.

The 2007-08 campaign remains their most successful, with Fenerbahçe reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Chelsea 3-2 on aggregate.

Wednesday’s encounter will be their 44th Champions League match. In their previous 43 appearances, they have recorded 11 wins, eight draws and 24 defeats, scoring 45 goals and conceding 79.

Fenerbahçe’s European milestone

The Liverpool fixture will also mark Fenerbahçe’s 310th appearance in European competitions.

The Istanbul club have won 122 of their previous 309 matches, drawn 69 and lost 118. They have scored 420 goals and conceded 435.

Their record against English opposition has been considerably more challenging, with the Liverpool encounter adding another chapter to a long-running European rivalry between Turkish and English clubs.

Fenerbahçe have previously faced Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United in European competitions.

Their home record against English visitors in UEFA competitions stands at four wins, two draws and six defeats, according to UEFA.

Liverpool seek response

Despite their impressive European performances, Liverpool arrive in Istanbul looking to recover from a disappointing Premier League defeat.

Andoni Iraola’s side had built momentum with five consecutive victories across all competitions following a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Oct. 11.

That run included a 2-0 league victory over Brighton and a penalty shootout success against Chelsea in the EFL Cup, alongside their Champions League wins against LASK and Villarreal.

However, Arsenal ended their winning streak on Sunday, securing a 1-0 victory at Anfield through Kai Havertz’s goal.

The defeat exposed some of Liverpool’s difficulties against well-organized opposition and offered a reminder that their attacking strength does not always translate into domestic dominance.

Liverpool have collected 15 points from nine Premier League matches, with four wins, three draws and two defeats, leaving them fifth in the standings.

Their European performances, however, have been considerably more convincing. With nine points already secured, another victory in Istanbul would strengthen their position among the leading eight teams and put them in a strong position to qualify directly for the round of 16.

Defensive concerns for Fenerbahçe

Fenerbahçe face the possibility of being without several important players, particularly in defence.

Nathan Ake and Marco Asensio are among the confirmed absentees, while Kojo Peprah Oppong’s availability remains uncertain after the young defender suffered an injury against Göztepe.

Oppong’s situation is particularly concerning for Kuyt because his absence would further restrict the team’s central defensive options.

Milan Skriniar and Yiğit Efe Demir could therefore be required to shoulder much of the defensive responsibility if the Ghanaian defender fails to recover in time.

Liverpool also have injury concerns, with Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong unavailable. Forward Hugo Ekitike is also working towards a return from an Achilles injury.

Despite those absences, Liverpool retain considerable attacking quality, with Alexis Mac Allister and Bradley Barcola having scored three Champions League goals each this season.

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula One history Sunday at age 20 after securing the title with a third-place finish in the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The first Italian champion since 1953 sobbed with joy over the team ⁠radio as he took the checkered flag at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, ⁠with his overall lead now an unassailable 119 points.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who started on pole position, finished a close second after clashing with teammate Charles Leclerc. The dramatic afternoon featured two safety cars, multiple crashes and an agonizing 33-minute halt that lasted until 25 of the 71 laps remained.

“Get in there, Kimi. Champion of the world,” said his race engineer Peter Bonnington, a frequent target of Antonelli’s practical jokes.

“We did it, thank you so much,” gasped Antonelli. His parents and sister embraced him when he exited the car, where his pit crew mobbed him.

The previous youngest champion was Germany’s Sebastian Vettel, who claimed his first of four Red Bull titles in 2010 at age 23 years, 134 days old.

“I’m speechless. I’m trying to process what has just happened,” Antonelli told the crowd. “It’s been an incredible season, and to share this podium with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is truly incredible. And I’m looking forward to more battles in the future.”

“I felt more tense this weekend, but I’m so happy that we got it done, and now we can enjoy the rest of the season,” he added. He wrapped an Italian flag around his shoulders on the podium and sprayed champagne with abandon.

The last Italian champion, Alberto Ascari, won in 1953.

“On the last lap, I just backed off because I just couldn’t see the track. I was getting emotional,” Antonelli told a later news conference. “It was just good to bring it home.”

Leclerc finished fourth, McLaren’s outgoing champion Lando Norris finished fifth and Antonelli’s teammate George Russell was sixth in a race he needed to win to remain in contention.

Verstappen 2nd overall

Verstappen moved to second in the overall standings, with Hamilton third and preseason favorite Russell dropping to fourth, 130 points behind Antonelli.

Mercedes led the constructors’ standings with 630 points to Ferrari’s 504 and could clinch the title next weekend in Brazil.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was seventh at the finish but then received a 10-second penalty for causing a collision, dropping him to 15th.

The penalty initially promoted Franco Colapinto to seventh and his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly to ninth. However, both later lost their points after receiving 10-second penalties for speeding under yellow flags.

Post-race penalties elevated Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson to seventh, Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto to eighth, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar to ninth, and gave Ryo Hirakawa a point in 10th on his Haas debut.

Race officials stopped the 71-lap race on Lap 46, following a brief safety car deployment, after Valtteri Bottas’ Cadillac suffered a high-speed front-left suspension failure and pitched uncontrollably into the Turn 1 barriers.

Bottas received medical attention in his car before walking to an ambulance, giving a thumbs-up as the rest of the field returned to the pits. He was treated and released from the medical center.

Verstappen led the restart, with Hamilton challenging and Antonelli passing Leclerc. Another safety car period ensued when Luke Lindblad and Piastri collided, allowing the field to race again with nine laps remaining.

The four-time champion, cleared of a false start, claimed his 74th career win – his sixth in Mexico – by 0.799 seconds, with Antonelli finishing four seconds behind.

Hamilton started from pole position – his 105th career pole and first for Ferrari in a full grand prix – with Leclerc slotting into third on the grid.

Hamilton held him off as they went side-by-side through the opening corners, but Leclerc cut Turn 4 and crossed the grass while battling for the lead. Verstappen then took second from Hamilton as the Ferrari driver went wide.

“My own teammate pushed me out,” Hamilton said over the radio.

Stewards gave Leclerc a 5-second penalty, which did little for Hamilton, who remained behind his teammate after their respective stops on Laps 28 and 29 as the Monegasque served his penalty.

“The problem with the 5-second penalty is he has clean air and doesn’t have to manage like the rest of us. He should give the positions back,” said the seven-time world champion.

Stewards said neither car would have made the corner on track at that speed.

Russell, who started on the front row, had a poor start and dropped to fifth. He also collided with Hadjar, punting the Red Bull driver off, and stewards gave him a 10-second penalty.

Hadjar pitted for new tires when a virtual safety car was deployed on Lap 7 after Lance Stroll stopped his Aston Martin on track.

The Daily Sabah Newsletter

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.

SIGN ME UP

You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.