Paris Saint Germain made history in the Champions League final with victory against Inter Milan and fans then unveiled a classy tribute to Luis Enrique’s late daughter, Xana
Luis Enrique was reduced to tears as Paris Saint Germain’s fans paid a touching tribute to his late daughter as they celebrated the greatest moment in their club’s history.
PSG’s travelling supporters raised a huge banner depicting nine-year-old Xana just minutes after seeing captain Marquinhos lift the French side’s first-ever Champions League. Xana passed away in 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer and Enrique said before the game: “My daughter won’t be there at the final physically, but she will be there spiritually. And that, for me, is very important.”
The Spaniard was visibly moved by the gesture as he received the acclaim of more than 30,000 Parisians.
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.”
But he added: “I didn’t need to win Champions League to think about my daughter. I always think about her. I feel her presence.
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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.”
Enrique spoke about Xana in the build-up to the match, saying: “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 a glittering PSG performance. Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute Senny Mayulu were also on target.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand lauded Enrique for the strength he has shown in such adversity, saying: “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.”
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was full of praise for the PSG boss after his side’s battering of the Italians. “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 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 his side’s display and what’s next for his side, 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 world.”
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