By Alexandra Harper 
A ray of light in a loving family was Xana Martínez.
Xana was the youngest of three children born in 2010 to Luis Enrique and his wife, Elena Cullell. Her older siblings were Sira and Pacho. From her very first moments, Xana was a joyous person whose contagious enthusiasm brightened everyone’s life. Xana is seen grinning with her father as they joyfully place a Barça flag on the field in a treasured photo taken in 2015, when Luis Enrique celebrated Barcelona’s Champions League victory in Berlin. Inscribed in her father’s memory, this picture represents their relationship, which was based on unconditional love and went beyond the football pitch.
Xana Martínez was a key member of the Martínez-Cullell family because of her lively personality. Luis Enrique frequently talks about the “thousand memories” they made together over her nine years, including peaceful times spent together and fun family vacations. These memories, captured on film and in pictures, continue to provide solace and fortitude. Despite being diagnosed with osteosarcoma in early 2019, Xana’s bravery and poise served as an inspiration to others around her. She battled for five grueling months with a fortitude that defied her youth, making a profound impact on her family and the medical staff at the Sant Joan de Déu and Sant Pau hospitals in Spain.
How did Luis Enrique’s daughter fare?
Xana’s fight with osteosarcoma ended on August 29, 2019, leaving Luis Enrique and his family in a deep state of sorrow. The Spanish national team was being managed by Luis Enrique at the time, but he took a leave of absence in March 2019 to care for his daughter, with assistant coach Robert Moreno filling in temporarily. In order to focus on his family during Xana’s last months, he completely resigned by June. Luis Enrique’s words upon announcing her death were both tragic and uplifting: “Our daughter Xana passed away this afternoon at the age of 9 after fighting against osteosarcoma for five months.” Even though we shall miss you terribly, we will never forget you and hope to see you again in the near future. You will be our family’s guiding star.
tributes from players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, and even Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, showed how the football community came together in grief. “Everyone at Barcelona is deeply saddened by Xana’s passing,” said Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of Barcelona. We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Martínez Cullell. The Spanish Football Federation went on to say, “We had our star (the World Cup) one day, and now we have another one that shines its light down from heaven.” In addition to being Luis Enrique’s daughter, these messages emphasized Xana’s significance as a symbol of courage and love.
It was a heartbreaking loss for Luis Enrique. “Can I consider myself fortunate or unfortunate?” he asked, reflecting on the terrible nature of losing a kid in a 2024 documentary with Movistar. The question captures the contradiction of his grief: his thankfulness for the nine years they spent together, and the excruciating sorrow of Xana’s absence. However, this very paradox has influenced Luis Enrique’s path, transforming his grief into motivation.
A Persistent Spiritual Presence
Luis Enrique has made the decision to preserve Xana’s memory in a way that exudes positivism rather than letting mourning define him. He characterizes her as a spiritual force that permeates every aspect of his family’s everyday existence. In the Movistar documentary, he said, “She may not be here physically, but she is here spiritually.” “Because I believe Xana is still watching us, we laugh and remember her every day when we talk about her.” This conviction has grown to be a pillar of his fortitude, enabling him to cherish memories and live a purposeful life in remembrance of Xana.
Little but significant deeds show Luis Enrique’s dedication to preserving Xana’s spirit. He shared a moving story about his mother, who found it difficult to show pictures of Xana after she died. “I told her, ‘Mom, you have to put up pictures of Xana, Xana is alive!'” he remarked, highlighting the fact that love and memory keep her existence alive. By turning suffering into a celebration of Xana’s colorful legacy, these attempts to honor her life have assisted the family in overcoming their loss.
In public, Xana’s memory also reverberates. On what would have been Xana’s thirteenth birthday, Luis Enrique dedicated Spain’s match against Germany to her during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “Not only do we play against Germany today, but Xanita would have turned 13,” he wrote in an Instagram video, wishing her “a good day” wherever she may be. “Obviously we don’t have our daughter with us physically anymore, but she is still present every day,” he said following the 1-1 tie, describing how her presence is constant. We laugh and consider how she might respond in various scenarios as we think back on her frequently. Both players and supporters were inspired by this sincere remembrance, which demonstrated Luis Enrique’s capacity to draw strength from weakness.
The PSG manager is greatly inspired by Luis Enrique’s daughter.
Luis Enrique, the manager of PSG, has used Xana as a beacon of hope in his pursuit of success, bringing her memory into his work life. He openly discussed how Xana motivates him to aim for the UEFA Champions League, a trophy he shared with Barcelona in 2015, in January 2025. He recalled their time together in Berlin and remarked, “I’m sure she is celebrating somewhere.” “With PSG, I’m hoping she can do the same. She would want me to keep doing what brings me life, and she will be there in spirit.
When Luis Enrique guided Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph in 2025, that ambition was realized. Since he had celebrated with Xana in 2015 and was now carrying the trophy again with her memories by his side, the manager’s victory held great personal meaning. Enrique said that his daughter’s unwavering presence gave him courage during the campaign and dedicated the victory to her.
The fortitude Luis Enrique has developed via Xana’s memory is evident in his leadership at PSG. Beyond the field, Luis Enrique has used altruism to transform his suffering into meaning. He hosted Twitch streams with supporters throughout the 2022 World Cup and donated half of the earnings to the Enriqueta Villavecchia Foundation, which funds research on juvenile cancer. His dedication to commemorating Xana by supporting those going through similar struggles is demonstrated by this effort, which he has carried out during his time at PSG. His deeds encourage everyone around him—from athletes to fans—to face difficulties with bravery and empathy.
A Heritage of Love and Fortitude
Even if it was short, Xana Martínez left behind a gift that still brightens the globe. Although Luis Enrique and his family were devastated by her death, her memory has grown to be a source of inspiration and optimism. Luis Enrique keeps Xana alive by leading his family and encouraging him to strive for greatness with both his words and deeds. He remarked, “My daughter Xana lived with us for nine amazing years.” “Videos and special moments that preserve her are among our countless memories of her.”
Fans, athletes, and anybody else impacted by Xana’s narrative can use her legacy as a lesson to treasure each moment and to persevere through life’s challenges. A monument to the strength of the human spirit, Luis Enrique’s path is characterized by love, tragedy, success, and an unwavering dedication to honoring his daughter. Xana’s star glowed brightly as he guided PSG to European success, serving as a continual reminder that love endures and that suffering may inspire.