Luis Enrique Announces His Daughter Xana, 9, Dies of Cancer

The former Barcelona and Spain manager revealed the tragic news on Thursday.

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Former Barcelona and Spain national team manager Luis Enrique announced the tragic news that his 9-year-old daughter Xana has died of cancer.

Xana fought her diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, for five months before passing. 

“Our daughter Xana has passed away this afternoon at the age of 9 after fighting for five intense months against osteosarcoma," Luis Enrique wrote in a message posted on social media. "We thank all the gestures of affection received during these months and we appreciate the discretion and understanding.

"You will be the star that guides our family. Rest Xanita."

Luis Enrique guided Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2015, after which Xana took part in the celebrations. In fact, she was a fixture in Barcelona's post-title celebrations during his three years managing the club, for which he also played for the last eight years of his career. Barcelona shared its sympathy with its former player and coach, while the outpouring from around the soccer and Spanish sporting universe followed:

Our condolences and all our sympathy for @luisenrique21 and his family at this very difficult time. RIP Xana.https://t.co/huTNMXxEu2

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 29, 2019

Momento de mucho dolor y tristeza. Descansa en paz XANITA.

Mucha fuerza @LUISENRIQUE21, Elena y FAMILIA!!!!! 😔🙏 pic.twitter.com/84Svh90w5Y

— Luis Suárez (@LuisSuarez9) August 29, 2019

Míster, todo nuestro apoyo y cariño para ti y para tu familia. No hay palabras, pero nos tienes a tu lado siempre.

— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) August 29, 2019

Lo siento mucho, mister. Mi más sentido pésame a toda la familia. DEP Xana. 🙏🏻

— David Villa (@Guaje7Villa) August 29, 2019

Mucha fuerza y apoyo para ti y toda tu familia en estos momentos tan difíciles.
Os mando un abrazo muy fuerte. DEP Xana

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 29, 2019

Acabo de enterarme de la terrible noticia del fallecimiento de Xana.
Estoy muy triste y no puedo ni imaginar el dolor de la familia.
Un abrazo enorme a Luis enrique y toda la familia desde la distancia.
Mucha fuerza y ánimos en estos momentos tan duros!

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 29, 2019

Un abrazo muy grande y todo mi cariño para ti y tu familia. DEP https://t.co/4k1QUXruxw

— Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) August 29, 2019

Absolutely devastated by the news about 9-year-old Xana.

All our love and prayers are with Luis and his family at this incredibly difficult time.

Rest in peace little Xana 🌹 pic.twitter.com/wCFH6iMxNU

— Jim Pallotta (@jimpallotta13) August 29, 2019

Descansa en paz Xana.. Toda la fuerza del mundo para Luis Enrique y la familia.. Sin palabras nos quedamos. pic.twitter.com/miMIZxhw9v

— Gerard Deulofeu (@gerardeulofeu) August 29, 2019

No hay palabras que puedan reconfortar en estos momentos tan duros mister, pero desde aquí os mandamos toda la fuerza y el cariño del mundo. Que Xana descanse en paz.

— Álvaro Morata (@AlvaroMorata) August 29, 2019

Sin palabras... Mucho ánimo y fuerza para ti y toda tu familia mister. DEP Xana

— Sergio Busquets (@5sergiob) August 29, 2019

Mucha fuerza míster. Difícil de encontrar palabras en estos momentos... Un fuerte abrazo🙏🏻

— César Azpilicueta (@CesarAzpi) August 29, 2019

Heartbroken to hear the news tonight.

The thoughts of everyone at AS Roma are with Luis Enrique and his family at this impossibly sad and difficult time.

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) August 29, 2019

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Luis Enrique and his family for the loss of his daughter.

Stay strong, Luis 🙏 https://t.co/bXrNgreRra

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 29, 2019

Our thoughts and condolences are with Luis Enrique and his family for the loss of his daugther Xana. May she rest in peace. Mucha fuerza y ánimo. https://t.co/VOnOP6H1Eb

— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 29, 2019

Everyone at Manchester City sends their thoughts and condolences to Luis Enrique and his family. 💙

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 29, 2019

Todo el ánimo, la fuerza y el apoyo del mundo en estos momentos mister.

— Nacho Fernández (@nachofi1990) August 29, 2019

No hay consuelo en la pérdida de un ser querido, mucho menos la de un hijo. Mucha fuerza para ti y los tuyos Mister. La estrella de Xana brillará siempre. pic.twitter.com/uHwSl2Na6j

— Marc Crosas (@marccrosas) August 29, 2019

Lo siento muchísimo. Mucha fuerza y ánimo para toda la familia. DEP 🙏🏿

— IÑAKI WILLIAMS ARTHUER (@Williaaams45) August 29, 2019

Luis Enrique stepped away from the Spain national team job in June for what was then deemed personal reasons. He had taken over for Fernando Hierro following the 2018 World Cup.