Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique announces tragic death of 9-year-old daughter
Former Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique had to announce the worst kind of news on Thursday, revealing that his 9-year-old daughter Xana had died from bone cancer.
Enrique had previously stepped down from his post with the Spanish national team months earlier for undisclosed personal reasons.
— LUISENRIQUE (@LUISENRIQUE21) August 29, 2019
Enrique’s statement translated, via the Daily Star:
Our daughter Xana has died this afternoon at the age of 9, after struggling for five intense months with osteosarcoma.
We thank you for all the love received during these months and we appreciate the discretion and understanding.
We would also like to give personal thanks to the hospitals Sant Joan de Deu and Sant Pau for their dedication and treatment and to all the volunteers, with a special mention to the palliative priests at Sant Joan de Deu.
We will miss you a lot but we will think of you every day of our lives with the hope that in the future we will meet again. You will be the star that guides our family. Rest well little Xana.
The news of Enrique’s personal tragedy sparked an outpouring of support from the soccer and Spanish community. The 49-year-old captured two La Liga titles and a UEFA Champions League in his three years as manager of Barcelona, where he also spent eight seasons as a player.
Our condolences and all our sympathy for @luisenrique21 and his family at this very difficult time. RIP Xana.https://t.co/huTNMXxEu2
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 29, 2019
All of our support and compassion goes to @luisenrique21, his wife and all of his family at this particularly painful time. All the Barça family are touched by the loss of Xana. Our condolences and all our sympathy for the Martínez Cullell family. https://t.co/yLWe4J4j70
— Josep Maria Bartomeu (@jmbartomeu) August 29, 2019
Real Madrid C.F. are deeply saddened by the passing of @LUISENRIQUE21’s daughter and would like to share our condolences to him and his family at this difficult time.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 29, 2019
📸 | #Messi on Instagram
Condolences to Luis Enrique and his family in these tough times. We are with you, Mister, all the strength in the world. pic.twitter.com/oEtF84pP6g— Amr (@AmrFootball) August 29, 2019
Acabo de enterarme de la terrible noticia del fallecimiento de Xana.
Estoy muy triste y no puedo ni imaginar el dolor de la familia.
Un abrazo enorme a Luis enrique y toda la familia desde la distancia.
Mucha fuerza y ánimos en estos momentos tan duros!— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 29, 2019
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