Real Madrid sends message to Luis Enrique after PSG’s Champions League victory
Spanish giants congratulate former rival and remember his late daughter Xana
Paris Saint-Germain’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title didn’t just make headlines for the scoreline it stirred emotions across the football world. One of the most poignant reactions came from Real Madrid, who set rivalries aside to send a touching message to PSG coach Luis Enrique.
Real Madrid’s Heartfelt Message
Following PSG’s 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the 2024/25 Champions League final, Real Madrid posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Congratulations to @PSG_inside and their fans for a well-deserved 2024–2025 Champions League. And our most special congratulations to our dear Luis Enrique, with a heartfelt and affectionate memory for his daughter Xana.”
The message struck a chord around the football community a gesture of respect and empathy from a club often seen as a fierce rival of Enrique due to his Barcelona connections.
Remembering Xana: A Father’s Tribute
Luis Enrique’s daughter Xana tragically passed away in 2019 at just nine years old, following a battle with bone cancer. The then Spain national team manager stepped down in June 2019 to care for her, later revealing the heartbreaking news to the public.
Xana was a visible part of her father’s footballing journey most memorably in Barcelona’s 2014/15 Champions League final victory in Berlin, where she joined him on the pitch, waving the team flag under the lights.
During the final in Munich this season, Luis Enrique wore a shirt in tribute to Xana, and PSG fans in the Allianz Arena held up flags and signs honoring lost loved ones, echoing the deeply emotional narrative surrounding the coach.
Beyond Rivalry: A Moment of Unity in Football
While club rivalries often dominate the sport, Real Madrid’s public congratulations reflected a rare moment of unity, humanity, and respect recognizing that football, at its best, transcends the pitch.
Luis Enrique, now etched into PSG history as the man who delivered their long-awaited European crown, accepted his victory with grace and humility, never letting the world forget who he carries with him every step of the way.
