Spaniard wears a special T-shirt to mark the occasion in remembrance of his late daughter
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Paris Saint-Germain's headcoach Luis Enrique (right), his wife Elena Cullell (second from left), son Pacho Martinez (left) and daughter Sira Martinez pose with the Champions League trophy in Munich on Saturday night.
Paris Saint-Germain's headcoach Luis Enrique (right), his wife Elena Cullell (second from left), son Pacho Martinez (left) and daughter Sira Martinez pose with the Champions League trophy in Munich on Saturday night.
AFP
After years of heartbreak and eye-watering spending, Paris Saint-Germain have finally done it — they’ve won the Champions League, the holy grail. And not just won it — they absolutely demolished Inter Milan in Munich.
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The final scoreline read 5-0, the highest margin of victory in a major European final. It wasn’t even close. Inter couldn’t cope with PSG’s relentless pressing, the constant rotation of their forwards, the intensity of their midfield, and the sheer technical brilliance on show. They were outclassed in every department.
Much more was expected from Simone Inzaghi’s Inter side, who were chasing a treble earlier this season. Instead, they end the campaign empty-handed and humiliated. Their ageing core simply couldn’t match the energy and hunger of Luis Enrique’s vibrant, remoulded PSG.
Xana’s presence was felt
But above all the footballing glory, this night belonged to Luis Enrique. The Spaniard is a fighter — not just on the touchline, but in life. In 2019, he lost his beloved daughter, Xana, to cancer. She was only nine years old. It’s impossible to fathom that kind of pain.
When Enrique last won the Champions League as Barcelona manager, Xana was there, celebrating with him. Earlier this season, he shared a moment that moved many to tears — he said he kept a photo of that celebration, Xana wrapped in a Barça flag on the pitch. He dreamed of recreating that moment with PSG, but this time with only her spiritual presence beside him.
And the Parisian faithful didn’t forget. In Munich, they unveiled a stunning tifo depicting that very moment — only this time, Xana wore a PSG shirt. Enrique was visibly emotional. It was an emotional moment when, after the final whistle, Luis Enrique wore a special shirt dedicated to his late daughter Xana. Later, he said he doesn’t need a trophy to remember his daughter — because she is always with him and his family.
The beginning of an era
This wasn’t just a win. It was a legacy-defining night. PSG’s fans will never forget this team and this manager. Luis Enrique has delivered not only their first Champions League title, but also the first French treble in history — all within two full seasons.
Yes, they spent heavily. But so did the many big names who came before him and failed. Lucho has achieved what none of them could. He’s a special person, and a special manager.
A cultural transformation
More than tactics or transfers, Enrique has transformed the culture. There are no passengers in this team. Everyone defends, everyone presses. In the 78th minute, with PSG already four goals up, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — who had scored earlier — was sprinting back to defend. It’s the same position where Kylian Mbappe once scored so many goals. But would he have tracked back like that?
Bradley Barcola could’ve added to the scoreline, Warren Zaire-Emery impressed again, and 17-year-old Mayulu scored off the bench. But the star of the night was Désiré Doué, who netted a sensational brace. And then there’s Ousmane Dembele — no goals, but a match full of movement, pressing, and intelligence. Ever since Enrique shifted him into a false No 9 role, he’s become a Ballon d’Or contender. From a reluctant runner at Barcelona to the trigger of PSG’s press — the transformation is astonishing.
Their work rate off the ball was phenomenal. Vitinha, Neves, and Ruiz controlled the midfield with both grit and guile. Inter had no choice but to overhaul their midfield in the second half. Right-back Achraf Hakimi — who opened the scoring — was seen pressing Hakan Çalhanoğlu deep in Inter’s half. That’s how high and aggressive PSG were.
Enrique has given his players the freedom to express themselves, but demands discipline and collective effort off the ball. It’s not rigid or robotic. It’s fluid, intelligent football based on trust, space, and movement — not just formations.