Luis Enrique's touching tribute to tragic daughter after PSG make Champions League history

Luis Enrique had a touching tribute for his late daughter in the aftermath of thumping win over in the Champions League final. PSG claimed their maiden win in the competition in some style, , and there were emotional scenes after the final whistle.

in August 2019 at the age of just nine. She had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, just a few months beforehand.

had previously led Barcelona to glory in the Champions League, back in 2015 - and a moment from that night resonated on Saturday in Munich. Back then, Xana had made it onto the pitch and planted a Barca flag in the turf in an iconic moment.

After PSG's thrashing was confirmed, for a record Champions League final victory margin, Enrique didn't take long before he changed into a new T-shirt, which showed Xana's triumphant moment. Minutes later and showing the exact same photo.

Enrique looked full of emotion as he stood in front of the PSG supporters, having delivered a treble for the second time in his career.

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"I didn’t need to win Champions League to think about my daughter," he said post-match. "I always think about her. I feel her presence. 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."

Regarding the mural dedicated to him by the fans he said: "It was very emotional. It was beautiful to think the fans had thought about me and my family."

The 55-year-old has previously spoken movingly about how Xana continues to guide him and his work, nearly six years after she passed away. "I have incredible memories because my daughter loved parties, and I'm sure she's still throwing them wherever she is," Enrique said before the match.

"I remember an incredible photo I have with her at the final in Berlin, after winning the Champions League, planting an FC flag on the pitch.

"I hope to be able to do the same with . 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."

In the 2024 documentary 'Luis Enrique: You Have No F***ing Idea', he outlined the way he reflects on his daughter and her untimely passing.

“My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years," he said. "We have a thousand memories of her. You may ask whether I consider myself fortunate or unfortunate. I consider myself to have been fortunate. Very fortunate.

"My mother couldn't keep photos of Xana until I arrived home and asked her, 'Why aren't there any photos of Xana, mom?' 'I can't, I can't.' 'Mom, you have to put [up photos of] Xana. Xana is alive.'

"She isn't in the physical [sense] but she is in the spiritual [sense] because every day, we talk about her, we laugh and remember because I think Xana still sees us."

Speaking on TNT Sports, referenced his own personal tragedy of in 2015 when discussing Enrique's achievement.

"Luis Enrique is a remarkable human being," he said. "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."

Desire Doue set up the opening goal for Achraf Hakimi before netting twice himself. He paid tribute to Enrique in his post-match interview. “He’s been here two years," he said. "Tactically, mentally a really good coach, an unbelievable coach. As a human being too. It’s a pleasure to work with him.”

Former captain also showered the manager with praise. "Does Luis Enrique deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Carlo Ancelotti, or ?" he said. "The answer is yes.

"This team he has created and put together over the past year or two can beat you in any given way. The talent across this squad - it is a special group of players and they're getting coached by a special person as well."

On the game itself, the PSG boss said: “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.

“The only trophy missing from our cabinet was the Champions League. Now we have it - but we want to keep on conquering the football .”

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