Touching/ From Berlin to Munich, Luis Enrique retrieve the Champions of the Xana Angel
On May 31, 2015, at Berlin’s Olympiastadion Stadium, Luis Enrique won the Champions League for the first time as Barcelona coach. One of the most beloved memories of that success for the Spanish coach is the one with his young daughter, Xana, who was only 6 years old. With an innocent smile and the flag of Barcelona united with that of Catalonia in her hands, little Xana waved her proudly before she stuck in the middle of the field, under her father’s emotions.
But life would take a painful turn. In 2019, Xana passed away at the age of only 9 years after a short but very heavy battle, with a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, osteosarcoma.
« For me she is not dead, she is always with us. We talk about her every day and I believe Xana sees us from above, » said Luis Enrique, with sensitive emotion.
Just days after PSG’s victory over Manchester City 4-2 in the Champions League semifinals, Enrique said at a press conference before the match with Lens: « I remember an incredible photo from the Berlin final, when Xana stuck the Barca flag in the field. I want to do the same with PSG.
Today, May 31, 2025, his desire has become a reality. Just ten years after that historical success in Berlin, Luis Enrique has won another Champions League, this time with Paris Saint-Germain. And again, a flag was stuck in the center of the field, this time at the Allianz Arena Stadium, as a silent but very powerful homage. No doubt, somewhere up there, the little Xana has done the same.
