Spain coach remembers late daughter on ‘special day’ at WCup

By: Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press Posted: 6:10 PM CST Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022 Last Modified: 6:36 PM CST Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022

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AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Spain coach Luis Enrique said it was a “special day” after his team's 1-1 draw with Germany at the World Cup on Sunday.

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AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Spain coach Luis Enrique said it was a “special day” after his team's 1-1 draw with Germany at the World Cup on Sunday.

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This article was published 27/11/2022 (1404 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Spain coach Luis Enrique said it was a “special day” after his team’s 1-1 draw with Germany at the World Cup on Sunday.

But it had nothing to do with soccer.

Luis Enrique said Sunday would have been the 13th birthday of his daughter, Xana Martínez, who died three years ago of a rare form of bone cancer.

Spain's head coach Luis Enrique leaves the field with Spain's Dani Carvajal, left, and Spain's Dani Olmo at the end of the World Cup group E soccer match between Spain and Germany, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

“It was a special day for me and my family,” Luis Enrique said. “Obviously we don’t have our daughter with us physically anymore, but she is still present every day. We remember her a lot, we laugh and think about how she would act in each situation that we experience.”

Luis Enrique had earlier posted a video on Instagram in which he said that “not only we play against Germany today, but Xanita would have turned 13.” He wished her “a good day” wherever she was right now.

“This is how life works,” he said after the match. “It’s not only about beautiful things and finding happiness, it’s about knowing how to manage these moments.”

The 52-year-old Luis Enrique, a former Barcelona player and coach, is participating in his first World Cup as Spain’s manager. He left the national team after finding out about his daughter’s cancer, returning some time later.