Luis Enrique's daughter tragedy which helped shape PSG manager's new determination

Luis Enrique has an emotional connection to European competitions as his Paris Saint-Germain side gear up for a Super Cup clash against Aston Villa

Luis Enrique will look to add another European trophy to his already glittering cabinet on Wednesday night as PSG take on Aston Villa in the Super Cup. The Spaniard guided his team to their second-ever Champions League success in May and is still inspired by the tragic death of his daughter Xana.

After the Parisian side beat Inter Milan 5-0 in 2025 to win the competition for the first time, they went on to claim consecutive titles, defeating Arsenal on penalties three months ago. Becoming European champions means PSG will once more play in the Super Cup against the Europa League winners, Villa.

They came back in dramatic fashion to secure a shootout win over Tottenham in last year's edition. For this renewal, PSG are favourites to once again lift the trophy. All eyes will be on Enrique as he looks to tactically outwit his compatriot and former PSG manager Unai Emery in the opposition dugout.

Enrique was hugely successful even before taking the reins in Paris, having won the Champions League and Super Cup with Barcelona in 2015. But behind his intense and fiercely competitive demeanour on the touchline lies a tragic story that shook the footballing world several years ago.

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In June 2019, Enrique suddenly stepped down from his role as manager of Spain's national team. The Spanish Football Federation cited "urgent personal matters" and Enrique revealed two months later that his youngest daughter, Xana, had tragically passed away at just nine years of age.

Xana had spent five months fighting osteosarcoma, a rare and highly aggressive form of bone cancer that primarily affects children, teenagers and young adults.

Enrique said at the time: "We will miss you a lot but we will remember you every day of our lives with the hope that one day in the future we will meet again. You will be the star that guides our family. Rest in peace, Xanita."

There was an immediate outpouring of support as Enrique was lauded for his positive and brave outlook despite the tragedy. He went on to share his inspiring perspective on the nine years he spent with Xana in a multi-part documentary about his life and career.

"My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years," he said. "We have a thousand memories of her. You may ask whether I consider myself fortunate or unfortunate. I consider myself to have been fortunate. Very fortunate."

Following his first Champions League success as a manager with his beloved Barcelona, Enrique celebrated on the pitch with the youngest of his three children, Xana, who carried and waved a huge flag.

He delivered a touching tribute a decade later following his first historic Champions League triumph with PSG, dedicating the victory to his late daughter and stating she was with him "spiritually." After the French side defeated Inter 5-0, PSG fans celebrated their manager by unfurling a huge tifo inside the stadium that also featured Xana.

Enrique was clearly left emotional by the gesture and responded: "I'm very happy. It was very emotional at the end with the banner from the fans for my family. But I always think about my daughter. It means a lot. It's so nice, but I don't need to win the Champions League to remember my daughter. My daughter is always with us."