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‘She is still with us every day’: Spain boss Luis Enrique pays heartfelt tribute to his late daughter who died of a rare bone cancer as he celebrates her birthday following a 1-1 draw with Germany
Spain national coach Luis Enrique said it was a “special day” following his team’s 1-1 draw with Germany at the World Cup on Sunday.
But it had nothing to do with football.
Luis Enrique said Sunday would have been the 13th birthday of his daughter, Xana Martínez, who died three years ago from a rare form of bone cancer.
“It was a special day for me and my family,” said Luis Enrique. ‘Of course we no longer have our daughter physically with us, but she is still present every day. We remember her a lot, we laugh and think about how she would act in any situation we face.”
Luis Enrique had previously posted a video on Instagram saying that ‘not only are we playing against Germany today, Xanita would have turned 13’. He wished her “a good day,” wherever she was now.
Luis Enrique says it was a ‘special day’ as he paid tribute to his late daughter Xana Martinez
Xana passed away three years ago from a rare form of bone cancer and would have been her 13th birthday on Sunday
“This is how life works,” he said after the game. “It’s not just about beautiful things and finding happiness, it’s about knowing how to handle these moments.”
Luis Enrique, 52, a former player and coach of Barcelona, is taking part in his first World Cup as a Spanish manager. He left the national team after learning about his daughter’s cancer and returned some time later.
Spain will advance to the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar if it avoids defeat against Japan in the final group stage on Thursday.
Enrique said his family still thinks of Xana every day after Spain’s 1-1 draw with Germany