A Champions League Triumph that means more for Luis Enrique
- Christian Paris
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
PSG’s 5-0 riot in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich was historic in more ways than one for a side that achieved European glory for the first time, though for Luis Enrique, that was far from his inspiration.
A manager born in Gijón but made in Barcelona, Enrique has grown into one of the finest coaches in football today, no doubt tactically superb, his PSG side becoming the first French side to achieve the treble the most recent reminder, but I intend to focus on Enrique in a far more substantial manner.
His resilience. A mind so strong willed, following a tragic moment where his world stopped, but where a heartening tribute brought the Spaniard to tears. The heartbreaking loss of his daughter, Xana, in 2019 does not need to be discussed further, Enrique was bombarded with bizarre questioning on the matter in the aftermath.
Though the stunning tifo from the Paris-Saint Germain supporters displaying the heartwarming image of Enrique and his daughter planting the flag in the centre-circle after securing a maiden Champions League title expectedly saw the PSG boss visibly emotional.
The image originated from when Enrique achieved the treble for the first time in his career with FC Barcelona back in 2015, recreated with the PSG colours and kit of course, whilst it highlighted something that supersedes anything that took place on the pitch. It goes beyond football.
Enrique’s heart and intensity has been a theme throughout his whole career in management. A struggle at AS Roma in his first taste of topflight football was an initial setback, before a solid one-season stint at Celta Vigo for the 13/14 season helped stabilise the club after near relegation the year prior.
Barcelona were impressed enough to come knocking for their former reserve manager, who immediately hit the ground running, returning the Catalan giant to the peak of Europe, claiming the treble with the famous M-S-N trio among other stars.
It was the chance to lead the Spanish national side that followed, though an opportunity that was abruptly short-lived, only eight months in the job and having took charge of just six games, it was clear this was not purely a professional decision. It couldn’t have been.
Incredibly, Enrique returned to the job after just five months, and in what was certainly a mournful period for the Spaniard and his family, his resilience was admirable.
Almost three years in the role, Enrique struggled to stamp his mark on the national side, with that journey ending with a disappointing 2022 World Cup exit to Morocco in the Round of 16.
Fast forward to the following summer, it was time for the next challenge, this time perhaps his most testing task yet. The Parisian’s were keen to get their man over the line and did just that, what followed required the French giants to assume a new lease of life to achieve the ultimate goal that had eluded them under the stewardship of club President, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Enrique along with the strategic experience and mind of Luis Campos led the change in strategy at PSG, moving on from starpower and household names, and towards a collective identity and excellent recruitment.
Two Ligue 1 titles later, and more domestic dominance, French football had not changed much in that regard, external pressure remained however, PSG had to prove themselves in Europe.
It was the one blemish, the one motivation, for the club that is. Not for Enrique though, Xana continued to be an everlasting presence, an ever-present force in his life, and it helped bring his PSG side to the Champions League final for the second time.
An exhilarating run to the final saw Enrique’s men shine, produce champagne football and deliver an intensity and togetherness that had been absent in previous PSG sides, this time it was different.
A second chance to claim the greatest prize in club football was there, against a unique but equally as brilliant Inter side, or so we thought. The French side blew them away, cruised to European glory, Enrique became only the second manager to win the treble with two different sides, but that quickly became a second priority to what he truly wanted to embrace.
It was beautifully put by the Spaniard post-game, where he was visibly touched by the support from the Parisian faithful in Munich, the moving tribute symbolising that Xana was always with him, always there by his side.
"I did not need to win the Champions League to remember my daughter"
It was a moment supplemented by football, rather than led by it. A reminder that in such moments, this beautiful game comes second, always, and for Enrique, it was a European title that signified so much more.
Comentarios