Luis Enrique delivered a heart-rending tribute to his late daughter, Xana, following Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final. It was a historic night for PSG—claiming their first-ever title in Europe’s elite competition—but for Enrique, the moment transcended football.
Minutes after the final whistle in Munich, Enrique changed into a special T-shirt bearing a photo of Xana planting a Barcelona flag on the turf at the 2015 Champions League final, a symbolic moment from his earlier coaching glory with Barca. The image, deeply personal, captured the spirit of a little girl who passed away far too young in August 2019 after a brief battle with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer.
As Enrique stood before PSG’s fans, a giant tifo appeared in the crowd depicting that same cherished photo. “I didn’t need to win the Champions League to think about my daughter,” Enrique said, holding back tears. “She’s always with me. It was beautiful to see the fans honour her, but her presence is constant in my life.”
Xana’s Lasting Presence in Enrique’s Life and Career
Despite the heartbreak of losing his daughter, Enrique has continuously spoken about how Xana continues to influence his life and decisions. Before the final, the 55-year-old manager shared vivid memories of her joyful personality and love for celebration, reinforcing the idea that her spirit lives on.
“I have incredible memories because my daughter loved parties, and I’m sure she’s still throwing them wherever she is,” he said. “She won’t be here physically, but she’ll be there spiritually. That’s very important to me.”
In the 2024 documentary Luis Enrique: You Have No F*ing Idea, the Spanish coach reflected on grief, memory, and resilience. “We had nine wonderful years with her,” he said. “Some might ask if I feel fortunate or unfortunate—I feel very fortunate.” He also recounted a moving conversation with his mother about displaying photos of Xana: “She is not here physically, but she is alive in spirit because every day we talk about her, laugh, and remember her.”
Praise from Football Greats and Players
Enrique’s emotional strength and tactical brilliance did not go unnoticed. TNT Sports pundit and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who has also experienced personal loss, praised Enrique as a “remarkable human being.” He said, “He has continued and gone from strength to strength. That’s not easy when you’ve endured that kind of tragedy.”
On the field, PSG’s young star Desire Doue, who scored twice in the final, dedicated his performance to Enrique. “He’s not just a great coach, he’s a great man,” Doue said. “It’s a privilege to work under him.”
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard also placed Enrique in the company of managerial legends. “Does he deserve to be mentioned alongside Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola? Absolutely. This team he has built is special, and so is he.”
PSG’s Masterpiece: A Night of Footballing Perfection
On the footballing front, Paris Saint-Germain delivered a performance for the ages. The 5-0 scoreline marked the biggest margin of victory in a Champions League final, as Enrique’s tactics proved too much for Inter Milan. Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring after a brilliant run from Doue, who then netted two goals himself before Kylian Mbappé and Vitinha rounded off the demolition.
“I don’t know if we can call it a masterpiece, but we got off to a brilliant start,” Enrique said post-match. “We didn’t give Inter any room to breathe. This was the only trophy missing from our cabinet. Now we have it—but we want more.”
The victory not only completed a historic treble for the club under Enrique, but it also marked his second treble as a manager—his first coming with Barcelona in 2015. In both campaigns, Xana’s memory has served as both an inspiration and a source of inner strength.
From Personal Pain to Professional Glory
Luis Enrique’s journey from personal grief to professional triumph has been one of resilience and grace. Despite enduring the unimaginable loss of his daughter, he has channeled that pain into something greater, building not just winning teams but nurturing a legacy of love, character, and compassion.
“To think that the fans prepared that tribute—it was very emotional,” he said of the mural. “But even without the titles, without the banners, she is always with me.”
In football, trophies come and go. But for Enrique, the real victory lies in keeping his daughter’s memory alive in everything he does—on and off the pitch. And on that night in Munich, as PSG etched their name into European football history, Xana was undoubtedly there—smiling, proud, and forever in her father’s heart.
