Luis Enrique's emotional message: "She is always with me"

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique dedicated his second Champions League triumph to his daughter Xana, who died of cancer. Enrique wore a black T-shirt reminiscent of Xana after PSG's stunning 5-0 win over Inter Milan in Munich.

June 01, 2025

From: cst

"Xana is always with us, we always think of her. We love her. I think she would be running among us here," said Enrique amid the celebrations. His daughter was in the stadium in Berlin when he won his first Champions League title with FC Barcelona in 2015.

She later developed bone cancer and died at the age of nine. After the final whistle in Munich, the Paris fans dedicated a choreography to the girl, depicting Xana wearing a number eight football shirt and holding a flag. Like Luis Enrique's T-shirt, this was reminiscent of a scene in which Xana held a large flag on the pitch after Barcelona's Champions League title win.

PSG fans also remembered Xana, the deceased daughter of Luis Enrique. © APA/afp / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

"It was an emotional moment. The fans brought me and my family great joy," Enrique said on Sunday night. "I think about my daughter every day, even when I'm not winning titles. My daughter is always with us. She supports me, even when I'm not winning titles. I feel her presence. She's always with me."

Hakimi: “He deserves it like no other”

Enrique was the undisputed star after the French champions' first triumph. "He changed everything. He has a different way of seeing football. After everything he's been through, it's fantastic that he can experience this. He deserves it more than anyone else," said former Dortmund player Achraf Hakimi after the dominant performance, which capped off a strong knockout round for PSG.

The Spanish coach skipped idly across the pitch, almost tenderly touching the silver trophy. His players tossed it through the air and hoisted it onto their shoulders, along with the coveted trophy.

Schlagwörter: Soccer Champions League Luis Enrique PSG