Amidst the jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain`s historic first UEFA Champions League final victory, manager Luis Enrique held a special thought for his late daughter, Xana.
Xana tragically passed away in 2019 at the age of nine after battling osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. However, her memory remains a vital part of the Enrique family`s life. Luis Enrique often pays tribute to Xana during significant career milestones, and the recent Champions League final was no different, with several gestures honoring her during PSG`s post-match festivities.
After the match, Enrique, who had managed in a simple black shirt, changed into a t-shirt featuring a drawing linked to the Xana Foundation. He wore this shirt while receiving his winner`s medal. The Xana Foundation, established by Enrique and his wife Elena Cullell following their daughter`s passing, was referenced by the t-shirt design. This design mirrored a cherished photograph of Xana taken ten years prior at the Champions League final in Berlin, where Enrique`s Barcelona side claimed victory.
Enrique shared earlier in the season, “I have such wonderful memories because my daughter adored celebrations, and I truly believe she`s still celebrating wherever she is. I particularly recall a special photo with her at the Champions League final in Berlin, right after we won, planting an FC Barcelona flag on the pitch. I hope to recreate that with PSG. While my daughter won`t be physically present, she will be there spiritually, and that means everything to me. It motivates me to keep moving forward with life, sharing it with my family.”
The tribute wasn`t confined to the manager alone. After the final whistle confirmed PSG`s 5-0 victory over Inter at Munich`s Allianz Arena, the club`s supporters displayed a banner that echoed the image of Xana.
Commenting on the banner, Enrique stated, “It means a great deal. It`s truly heartwarming. But I don`t need to win the Champions League to remember my daughter. She is always with us, especially during difficult times. We, as a family, enjoy everything and strive to find the positives even in challenging moments.”
These recent gestures are part of ongoing tributes to Xana, whom Enrique affectionately refers to as `the star that guides our family.` Her memory has served as a powerful motivation throughout his career, inspiring him to incorporate elements of her life into his professional achievements and significant moments.
A notable example occurred in 2022, when Spain`s important World Cup group stage match against Germany coincided with what would have been Xana`s 13th birthday. On that day, he posted on Instagram, sharing, “Today is a special day. Not just because we`re playing Germany, but also because my daughter Xana would be turning 13 years old. My love, wherever you are, we love you. We miss you.”
Following Spain`s 1-1 draw with Germany, he again took a moment to speak about Xana.
He reflected, “It was a special day for me and my family. Naturally, we no longer have our daughter physically with us, but she is very much present every single day. We cherish her memory often, we laugh, and we imagine how she might react in various situations we encounter. This is the nature of life. It`s not solely about joy and finding happiness; it`s also about learning how to navigate these challenging times.”
This commitment to keeping her memory alive in tangible ways is central to his family. They actively ensure that recollections of Xana are a constant presence in their daily lives, a principle he discussed in the 2024 documentary `Luis Enrique: You Have No F—ing Idea,` where he recounted a conversation with his mother after Xana`s death.
He quoted his mother, saying she initially struggled to keep photos of Xana visible. He told her, “`Mom, you must put up photos of Xana. Xana is alive.` She isn`t physically here, but she lives on spiritually because every day, we talk about her, we laugh, and we remember her, believing Xana is still watching over us.”
The family also honors Xana through the Xana Foundation, which offers support to families facing the serious illness of a child. Enrique noted that he and his wife, Elena Cullell, were fortunate to be able to step away from work to care for Xana – he took leave from his role with the Spanish national team in March 2019, resigning that June, just two months before Xana`s passing. Recognizing that this option isn`t available to everyone, the foundation provides assistance to other families in similar circumstances.
The family cherishes their memories of Xana, which Enrique describes as a privilege to possess.
In the documentary, he reflected, “Would I consider myself lucky or unlucky? I see myself as incredibly fortunate. My daughter shared nine wonderful years of her life with us. We have countless memories, videos, and precious moments of her.”
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley