Luis Enrique led Paris Saint Germain to Champions League glory for the first time ever on a historic and emotional night in Munich before being praised by Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to “remarkable” Luis Enrique after the Paris Saint-German manager celebrated his team’s historic triumph in the Champions League final with a beautiful tribute to his late daughter, Xana.
Xana sadly passed away aged nine due to a rare form of bone cancer in August 2019. And Enrique changed into a t-shirt depicting the iconic image of her planting a Barcelona flag in the pitch after he had led the Spanish giants to Champions League glory in Berlin back in 2015.
Enrique donned the t-shirt in the aftermath of PSG’s 5-0 win over Inter Milan and, in a wonderful moment, fans of the French giants unveiled a tifo depicting the same moment to pay a tribute of their own.
Emotions were high following the game in light of Enrique’s tribute and Ferdinand, who lost his wife, Rebecca Ellison, to cancer back in 2015, commended Enrique for having the strength to continue after such a devastating personal loss.
“Luis Enrique is a remarkable human being,” the TNT Sports pundit said following the conclusion of Saturday night’s match in Munich.
READ MORE: PSG fans bring Luis Enrique to tears with beautiful tribute to late daughter XanaREAD MORE: Luis Enrique’s touching tribute to tragic daughter after PSG make Champions League history
“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.”
Speaking post-match, the PSG boss was asked about his daughter and said: “I don’t need to win the Champions League to remember my daughter. My daughter is always with us, especially when we lose. And with my family, enjoying everything and trying to take the positives, even in the bad moments.”
Regarding the mural dedicated to him by the fans he said: “Lovely from the fans, it’s so nice.”
Desire Doue was PSG’s brightest star on the night: the 19-year-old became the first player in history to amass three goal contributions in a Champions League final on a night that Paris will never forget.
And he, too, singled out Enrique after the game, saying: “He’s been here two years. Tactically, mentally a really good coach, an unbelievable coach. As a human being too.
“It’s a pleasure to work with him.”
Steven Gerrard, analysing the game alongside Ferdinand on TNT Sports, saying: “If anyone deserves to celebrate tonight and let his hair down, it’s Luis Enrique.”
The Liverpool legend went on to argue that Enrique should now be mentioned in the same breath as some of the giants of the game, adding: “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.”
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