
Luis Enrique plans tribute for late daughter Xana if PSG win UCL final: ‘She will be there spiritually’
Luis Enrique plans tribute for late daughter Xana if PSG win UCL final: ‘She will be there spiritually’
While Paris Saint-Germain set up their surprise run to the UEFA Champions League final, manager Luis Enrique remembered his only other trip to the final of the competition as manager ten years ago, when he won the title with Barcelona. It was not the 3-1 victory over Juventus in the Olympiastadion of Berlin, who was top of ideas as he remembered the day. It was a photo of his daughter Xana, who was then five.
“I have incredible memories because my daughter loved parties, and I am sure she is still throwing them where she is,” he said, per brand. “I remember an incredible photo that I have with her on the Champions League final, after winning the Champions League, planting an FC Barcelona flag on the field. I hope to be able to do the same with PSG. My daughter will not be there, she will not be physical, but she will be a lot of life with spiritual, and she will be spiritual, and she will be spiritual with spiritual, and she will be spiritual, and that is spiritual with spiritual, and she will be spiritual with spiritual, and she will be spiritual with spiritual, and that is spiritual, and that is spiritual with spiritual, and that is spiritual with spiritual, and spiritual, and that is spiritual with spiritual, and spiritual. live with my family. “
It would be the last tribute to Xana by Enrique and his family, who kept her memory alive since she died at the age of nine in August 2019 after a battle with bone cancer. He has described her as ‘the star that our family leads’, as well as a motivating factor in his career. In the years since her death he has found weaving to weave Xana’s life in his professional milestones, regardless of the opportunity.
This includes a moment in 2022, when Spain’s crucial World Cup group phase match against Germany took place on the 13th anniversary of Xana. He started the day with an Instagram post that remembers his daughterShare: “Today is a special day. Not only because we play Germany, but also because my daughter Xana would be 13 years old. My dearest, wherever you are, we love you. We miss you.”
He also took the time after the 1-1 draw of Spain with Germany to talk about Xana.
“It was a special day for me and my family,” he said. “Of course we no longer have our daughter physically with us, but she is still present every day. We remember her a lot, we laugh and think about how she would act in every situation we experience. This is how life works. It’s not just about beautiful things and finding happiness, it’s about knowing how to manage these moments.”
It stems from the intention of his family to keep her memory alive in more than one way. This includes insuring memories of her in the front and in the middle of their daily lives, something that he sketched in the documentary “Luis Enrique in 2024: you have no idea”, as he remembered an interaction with his mother after the death of Xana.
“My mother couldn’t keep photos of Xana until I got home and asked:” Why are there no pictures of Xana, Mom? “” He said. “I can’t do it, I can’t.” Mom, you have to say [up photos of] Xana. Xana lives. ‘She’s not in the physical [sense] But she’s in the spiritual [sense] Because we talk about her every day, we laugh and remember because I think Xana still sees us. “
Enrique and his family also launched the Xana FoundationThat provides help to the families of children affected by serious illness. Enrique acknowledged that he and his wife, Elena Cullell, had the privilege of leaving their work to concentrate on Xana; He took leave from Spain in March 2019 before he resigned in June, two months before the death of Xana. Enrique and his wife realized that not every family can easily do the same, so the foundation does what it is possible to help them.
The memories of the family of Xana are dear, whom he said he was lucky to be lucky.
“Can I consider myself happy or unhappy? I consider myself happy, very happy,” he said in the documentary. “My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years. We have thousands of memories of her, videos, incredible things.”