Footballer dies on the field from a blow to the chest. How this can cause cardiac arrest

Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel died after a knee blow to the chest during a match on November 3. Doctors in Israel explain that the cause may have been commotio cordis, a rare rhythm disturbance caused by blunt chest trauma. The article describes the mechanism, actions during cardiac arrest, and the importance of rapid resuscitation.

A tragic incident on the football field on November 3, 2026: Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel died a day after a knee blow to the chest from an opposing goalkeeper. The blow led to cardiac arrest. Doctors in Israel, including Anat Berkovich, head of the cardiology department at Sheba Medical Center, explain that the cause may have been commotio cordis, a rare condition where blunt chest trauma during a vulnerable phase of the cardiac cycle (20–40 milliseconds) causes ventricular fibrillation. The article emphasizes that the official diagnosis has not been confirmed. It describes actions during cardiac arrest: checking breathing, calling an ambulance (101 in Israel), chest compressions (100–120 per minute), and using a defibrillator. A 2013 study shows that if resuscitation begins within 3 minutes, 40% of victims survive; after 3 minutes, 5%. The article also discusses possible hidden heart conditions in athletes and the importance of emergency preparedness.