Luis Enrique moved to tears by PSG fans' touching tribute to late daughter

Irish Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Luis Enrique was reduced to tears as Paris Saint Germain supporters paid a heartfelt tribute to his late daughter during the pinnacle of their club's history.
PSG fans unveiled a poignant banner showing Enrique's nine-year-old daughter Xana moments after skipper Marquinhos hoisted the club's inaugural Champions League trophy. Xana tragically lost her life in 2019 following a brave fight with cancer, and prior to kickoff, Enrique had remarked, "My daughter won't be there at the final physically, but she will be there spiritually. And that, for me, is very important."
The emotional weight of the scene was clear as more than 30,000 PSG faithful applauded Enrique.
On the touching banner crafted in his honour by the devotees, he commented: "It was very emotional. It was beautiful to think the fans had thought about me and my family."
However, he continued: "I didn't need to win Champions League to think about my daughter. I always think about her. I feel her presence", reports the Mirror.
"She's always with me and my family. It's about taking the positive from a negative situation. That is my mentality. I was delighted to see the banner, but I didn't need a trophy to think about my daughter, she is always here."
Reflecting on Xana ahead of the game, Enrique fondly recalled, "I have incredible memories because my daughter loved parties, and I'm sure she's still throwing them wherever she is.
"I remember an incredible photo I have with her at the Champions League final in Berlin, after winning the Champions League, planting an FC Barcelona flag on the pitch.
"I hope to be able to do the same with PSG. My daughter won't be there, she won't be there physically, but she will be there spiritually, and that's very important to me. I'm motivated to continue moving forward with what life gives me, sharing it with my family."
Two goals from teenager Desire Doue capped off a stunning show from PSG. Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and sub Senny Mayulu also made the scoresheet.
On TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand expressed his admiration for Enrique's resilience, commenting: "Luis Enrique is a remarkable human being.
"I have been in a position where you've had loss and it is difficult to know how you're going to react. He has continued and gone from strength to strength."
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard spoke highly of the PSG gaffer post thrashing by the Italians saying: "Does Luis Enrique deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola? The answer is yes.
"This team he has crafted and devised over the last year or two can beat you in any way you think. It's a phenomenal lineup - it is a unique troupe of players, led by an extraordinary individual indeed."
The PSG manager was full of praise for his team's performance, saying: "I don't know if we can call it a masterpiece but we got off to a brilliant start. My team was exceptional this evening. We didn't give Inter any room to breathe."
He also expressed his ambitions following their success: "The only trophy missing from our cabinet was the Champions League. Now we have it - but we want to keep on conquering the football world."