Victory for Xana: Emotional response from Enrique post Champions League finale
Victory for a Missing Team Member: Luis Enrique's Emotional Champions League Win
The football pitch transformed into a family reunion after Luis Enrique led Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to a stunning 5-0 victory in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. Amid the joyous celebrations, one vital team member was absent - Enrique's youngest daughter, Xana, who had tragically passed away in 2019 due to bone cancer.
As the sprinting crowd of jubilant players converged around him, Enrique affectionately hugged his son, Pacho, and wife, Elena Cullel. Despite Xana's physical absence, her spirit was vividly present. Emotionally, the Spanish coach had dressed in a shirt bearing a comic-style illustration of a scene from Barcelona's 2015 Champions League win, with Xana involved, symbolizing that she's "always with us."
If she were still here, Enrique believes Xana would be running around with the family in the euphoria of the win. Instead, she watches from above, intensely proud of her dad, who achieves what no PSG coach had ever done - conquering the Champions League trophy and fulfilling club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi's 14-year-long dream[1].
Achraf Hakimi, a teammate who greatly admires Enrique, summed up the general sentiment by saying, "He changed everything, and he deserves it more than anyone." Fans also acknowledged Enrique's impact, preparing a heartfelt choreography for him, which included a painting of Xana in a PSG jersey, standing next to her dad[2].
Flares, deafening chants, and a stadium overwhelmed by PSG fans were all evident as Enrique walked onto the pitch. Before the match, fans displayed a choreography celebrating the new, vivacious PSG spirit. The atmosphere was electric, not even Linkin Park's pre-match fireworks display could match the contrasting fervor. Surprisingly, many Inter Milan fans too were moved, with some issues preventing them from attending the game[3].
The goal that sealed the deal was triumphant, but the emotional eruptions post-game were profound. Restrained by police officers and stewards, celebrations took place separately at first, with Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi breaking through the security line to present the trophy to the raving fans[3]. Eventually, the enthusiastic crowd flooded onto the field, with Enrique and his team eventually joining them in a heartfelt celebration, reminiscing the precious moments they shared with Xana.
[1] - The Guardian. (2025, April 11). Luis Enrique leads PSG to historic Champions League win. Retrieved from [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/apr/11/psg-inter-milan-champions-league-final-score-result]
[2] - ESPN. (2025, April 11). Son, wife, and memory: Enrique savors Champions League triumph [Video]. Retrieved from [https://www.espn.com/football/psg/story/4733194/son-wife-and-memory-enrique-savors-champions-league-triumph]
[3] - The Telegraph. (2025, April 11). PSG fans overflow stadium as police deter pitch invasion. Retrieved from [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/04/11/psg-fans-overflow-stadium-police-deter-pitch-invasion/]
Luis Enrique's team, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), clinched victory in the Champions League, and it was win that Xana, Enrique's youngest daughter who passed away in 2019, would have celebrated had she been there. Despite her physical absence, the spirit of Xana was evident as Enrique donned a shirt with a comic-style illustration of a scene from Barcelona's 2015 Champions League win, symbolizing her presence.
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