Enrique's Daughter Dies From Cancer at Age Nine

Spain coach had recently left team to be with his daughter

Released: March 30, 2019

The daughter of former Spain coach Luis Enrique has died after a battle with cancer aged nine. Luis Enrique left the Spanish set-up last June in order to spend more time with his daughter, who was diagnosed with bone cancer in March 2019.

Enrique was replaced by his friend and assistant Robert Moreno, who led Spain to the semi-finals of the Nations League in June 2019. Enrique returned to the role in November 2019, but left again in March 2020 after his daughter's condition worsened.

In a statement released on Thursday, Enrique said: "Our daughter, Xana, passed away this afternoon at the age of nine, after a five-month battle with osteosarcoma. We are grateful for all the love and support we have received during this difficult time, and we ask for privacy as we grieve."

Xana's illness was first revealed in March 2019, when Enrique announced that he would be taking a break from coaching to be with his family. Enrique's former club Barcelona released a statement on Thursday, saying: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Xana, the daughter of our former coach Luis Enrique. Our thoughts are with Luis and his family at this difficult time."