Real Madrid remember ‘beloved’ Luis Enrique and his late daughter after UCL triumph | OneFootball

Real Madrid has shown the true spirit of football by putting rivalry aside to congratulate Paris Saint-Germain on their historic Champions League triumph and even more notably, by delivering a heartfelt tribute to their manager, Luis Enrique and his late daughter Xana.

Following PSG’s dominant 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League final, Real Madrid took to social media with a message that quickly went viral. The club wrote:

“Congratulations to PSG and their fans for their well-deserved 2024–2025 Champions League title. And our most special congratulations to our beloved Luis Enrique, with a heartfelt and affectionate memory for his daughter Xana.”

The gesture has been praised widely for its elegance and humanity.

Football before any rivalry

Despite Enrique’s deep ties with FC Barcelona, having played for and managed Real Madrid’s eternal rivals, Los Blancos demonstrated that respect and compassion transcend football rivalries.

Their tribute was not only a recognition of sporting achievement but also a touching reminder of the personal tragedy that shaped Enrique’s life.

Xana, Luis Enrique’s daughter, sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of nine after a battle with bone cancer.

During the final, her memory was visibly honoured when Enrique’s other daughter, Sira Martínez, shared a photo of a PSG fan wearing a shirt personalised with Xana’s name. Real Madrid’s tribute acknowledged that moment, showing sensitivity and class.

Luis Enrique’s achievement is also historic on the sporting front. By winning the treble with PSG—Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the Champions League, he becomes one of the very few managers in history to have done so with two different clubs.

For all the intensity that defines El Clasico and the often bitter rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, this gesture is a powerful reminder that football is ultimately a human story.

By honouring a man who once wore the white shirt but built his legacy in blaugrana colours, and by remembering a young girl who touched so many hearts, Real Madrid has reminded the football world that there is more to the game than trophies.